So cold

Hello all I am 2 weeks from my 1 year anniversary, I was going to wait to join this group until I had actually reached that day. I have been learking and enjoy what I have seen. I would post this question on my anniversary group, which is very active,but we are all going through the same thing. I am freezing, almost all the time. Today I have a sweater on and my hands just don't want to work. Living in New England and winter hasn't even set in, I am very discouraged by the thought of being this cold all the time. I just had my blood work done yesterday and everything was fine. Iron was slightly low but not low enough to even have to take supplements. Does it get better? and is there something that I should do or look at. PS I would hate to have to start wearing mittens at work.... donna

How low is your iron? Kathy

Hi I am not sure, I didn't get the numbers, but according to DR. it wasn't really a concern.

If you read on here long enough, you are going to find many long term post-ops that end up having their iron tank and end up needing iron infusions. Having low iron that is still in normal range really isn't good for us. It is best to take iron (with your doctor's permission) and keep your levels in really good ranges to try to avoid having it go too low. Many doctors don't like to do anything until things get out of normal range... well, we aren't normal patients. I was put on iron from day 1 post-op. I get copies of all my lab work from my doctor and I just saw that my iron which was 80 something at 3-6 months post-op, went down to 60 something at 9 month and is now in the 40s. The message left by my doc said nothing about iron. I have slightly increased my iron intake on my own and I have an appointment with my doctor this coming Monday to discuss the downward trend of my iron and how much extra I should take. I don't want to wait for it to be low to act. No reason when it is obviously headed south. I have other things to discuss on my lab work with her too. My Vitamin D is low normal and the bariatric nutritionists at our hospital talked at our support group about what they now want to see as minimum for vitamin D and I'm quite a bit below it. I think they supplement with big numbers of D (50,000ius a day) but I'm not going to add that level of stuff in without doc's permission. We all have to learn to be our own health advocates. I love my doc but she is learning about post-ops as we all go along too. Kathy

My hands and feet are always cold now too...and i get the shivers quicker if im really cold...all my insulation is gone i guess hahahah...but i have te same problem as you and bought several warm jackets and light jackets for summer so far...my friends say my hands are always freezing but im getting used to it...i had labs done and all mine were normal even the iron so if you have low iron..and i dont we still have the same problem...i just wanted you to know your not alone hahah we i guess are the new COOL CHICKS around town...i know its serious but if you dont laugh about somethings...well id rather laugh than cry...rambling again...sorry... keep warm.. jen

Donna, I hear it levels out, but for me at almost 19 months I'm still cold all the time if the temperature is below 95 degrees. I live in Texas so this summer hasn't been bad but with the temperature change the past couple of weeks, I've had to buy a light jacket and I bring socks to work, I can't warm up my feet for anything. Went to Target to buy a little heater and they don't have them out yet, I'm going to Walmart today to get one (hopefully). I have to ask too, how low is your iron? What about ferritin (stored iron)? I'm so thankful I don't live where they actually have real winter weather, lol. Dana

Thanks I am not sure what the numbers are but I will ask. I didn't know about ferritin but as soon as I am home I will be looking into exactly what that is and find out what my numbers are. thanks so much d

Are you moving? I mean exercising. Your metabolism will go lower and lower as a result of WLS unless you exercise consistently to bring it back up. I was cold the first year -- didn't start exercising until 8 months out. Gradually the "cold" went away. Also make sure your iron is adequate. Deb

I work out 55 minutes a day on an elliptical. So ya I'm kinda moving. But it is a good point. As stated above I am going to look at the iron thing some more, but I really appreciate the feed back. donna

I was very cold the first year, but it has gotten a little bit better over time. I still carry a jacket with me wherever I go just in case. Congratulations on hitting your 1 year mark! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"