Freezing in New Jersey!
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)
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
![](http://images.obesityhelp.com/_shared/images/smiley/msn/horseback.gif)
253 / 140 (below goal)
If I were lying, wouldn't my pants be on fire?!?