Freezing in New Jersey!

SpyderS
on 9/5/07 11:40 pm - Swedesboro, NJ

Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted - everything is still fine with me. I had my surgery (open RNY, by De. Iqbal, Bridgeton NJ, South Jersey Hospital [the old hospital]) July 14, 2004. I weighed 375 pounds day of surgery. I lost nearly all of my weight in the first 6- 8-month period; about 140 pounds. It has been dribbling off since then slowly - I'm now 219 pounds (lost 155 pounds total) and I have a 5-pound +/- window. I go up and down in that window, but I have never went outside of the window.  PS.. I have had no reconstructive surgery yet. I know there has to be 20 pounds of flab and assorted grossly distorted skin and flab hanging off me just about everywhere.

I have had no trouble whatsoever to speak of from the surgery. My blood work has consistently come back all "within range." Remarkable. I drink at least 70 grams of protein (Syntrax Nectar lemon tea only), take my daily dose of VISTA VITAMINS, supplemental calcium tabs..>>> EACH AND EVERY DAY. That is so important, and I whole-heartily believe it is the reason I have been successful with my surgery (Of course, Dr. Iqbal's talent played a major role too). I also have a B12 shot every month (I don't take a daily sublingual). I do not take any meds except my BP medicine which has been reduced 85% since the surgery, and my Wellbutrin SR for anxiety and panic attacks (they also helped me to stop smoking Jan 1, 2003).

I could have lost all the weight I wanted to if I had only exercised- particularly in the first 6 months. But I was FAT and had energy to do much of anything, although the weight was falling off FAST. I walked on my tread mill daily, and joined the Y for a while to swim, but my right knee is shot and needs to be replaced, even swimming was painful.

There is one thing however that is a constant and ongoing problem. I am always cold. I mean to the bone cold. My nose is usually freezing, followed by my hands and feet. At my desk at work, I have on a thermal shirt, then my regular shirt, then a sweatshirt on. Sometimes, I have a thermal jacket I wear too when I can't get warm. Let's not forget the two fleece throws on my legs. And ......... the wolly hat. People come in my office and look at me like I'm a freak! I've long since stopped caring what they think, but I do look like a fool. 

I asked my Dr about this and he said (and I quote here): "You don't have all that blubber to keep you warm anymore, but this will get better as you go along." It's been 3-years and I'm still shivering.

Does anyone else suffer from this? There has to be other people sitting there right now reading this with an ice-cold nose, freezing hands and two pairs of socks on!!!!  More importantly, was this diagnosed as anything other that you not having all the blubber anymore as an insulator??? 

How do you cope with this????

Spyder 375/219/175

(Amy, you look so beautiful!!!-flat tummy - you go girl!!) (Tooter... lovely as ever) (I still think of Jessica O. everyday when I step on the scale, she was a wonderful person)

Mary_W
on 9/6/07 2:51 am - Brandon, MS
I'm sorry that I don't have your freezing problem. haha.  down here in mississippi, i could sure USE some cold therapy.  haha.  I lost 120 pounds in my first 6 to 8 month window and cooled down quite a bit at that time.  it lasted about a month or two, then my metabolism kicked back in.   though i'm not *as* hot-natured as I used to be, I'm still very warm.  I have some hormonal issues, too, which makes me have hot flashes, so that's no good either. anyway...i'm sorry you're still freezing.  i'd send you some of my own body warmth if i could--i have enough to spare).  good luck! mary



wendy H.
on 9/6/07 2:53 am - ewing, NJ
RNY on 01/24/06 with
im in NJ also and i freeze all the time.. only time i dont is when its one of those really really humid hot days in NJ..other then that im always wearing a sweater..dont feel alone at all! u look great hun and hugs !
(deactivated member)
on 9/6/07 3:37 am - N.E., OH
Spyder, I have the same problem, and got about the same answer. Not so much insulation these days! In the summer, I set the AC not too cold, and bought insulated bibs, coat, and boots for winter outdoor wear. Not much style, but very functional, and warm!!!  Good luck, Doug
Piggybabe
on 9/6/07 5:27 am
Well honey, just come on down here to Louisiana. It is DEFINITELY not cold here. Although I do get a little colder than I used to, I'm pretty comfortable most of the time. I used to say that I was "really cold for a fat girl", and then "somebody" moved my thermostat and I was ONE HOT MAMA!!! I'm not talking about FLASHES, I'm talking just a furnace!!! Now that I've lost weight and quit  doing the "monthly" thing, I've evened back out.  I do hear other people who've lost weight talk about being cold and the only explanation I've ever heard is lack of insulation!!!  I'm sure that you know  more about warm clothing than I do, but have you tried the "Polar Fleece" stuff? I love it.  If all else fails, come on down!!!     Hugs,   Piggybabe
Happy_Loser
on 9/6/07 5:28 am - Central, IL

Exercise could help to raise your metabolism.  The slower your metabolism, the colder you are. I used to be cold all the time and then I started exercising and it went away.  Six months ago I hurt my back and have really cut back on the exercise and now I feel colder than I used to. Some will laugh, but it's true, exercise is good for a LOT of things! Good luck! Deb

ShirleyG
on 9/6/07 7:30 am - HALFWAY BETWEEN ATLANTA AND BHAM , AL

Hey there I freeze all the time too and I am 4 years out in Nov. I exercise everyday ( areobic) hi impact and that hasnt warmed me . I have a heater in my office that I use daily and have an electric blanket on my bed that I use year round . Frozen IN ALABAMA :)  Shirl

Rosebud393
on 9/6/07 9:58 am - Lansing, MI
I'm cold pretty much all the time too.  A friend of mine said her mother was cold post-RNY and the doctors told her to take a vitamin E suppliment.  I truly haven't tried it...I have enough trouble remembering to take my multi....opps better go take it now...that's better.  I used three blankets all summer.  If I am really, really cold, I get a hot soy steamer with suger free hazel nut from the local coffee shop and it warms me up from the inside out.  No caffeine and 14 grams of protein. Hope this helps some.
Cruise Director Julie
on 9/6/07 2:45 pm - Dallas, TX
RNY on 11/15/05 with
Honey; I live in South Texas and am commonly found in my own home wearing a fleece hoodie and under a fuzzy warm blanket. With my thermostat set on 78. People who visit my home can't figure out what's wrong with me (I'm not open to the world about my RNY). My husband hates keeping the house this warm, but decided the arguments over the thermostat weren't worth it after last summer (we used to keep it at 74 pre-op). If you find a way to combat the freeze please patent it and publi**** Someone should make money off of the solution.
Blessings, Jennifer 
253 / 140 (below goal)
If I were lying, wouldn't my pants be on fire?!?
readerina
on 9/7/07 2:53 am - Denville, NJ
Have you had your thyroid tested?  Temperature discomforts can be indicative of an improperly acting thryoid so if it hasn't been tested lately, it might be a good idea to get it checked out. Good luck -Carol
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