Question:
Why can't I resist a cold post op?

I'm 17 months post op. Before WLS I could usually resist a cold. Now I catch every bug that's within a mile of me. To top it off, I share a house with my elderly Mom who has pulmonary hypertension. Every cold I get, she gets. And she is on oxygen and not well. Why can't I resist a cold post op? Is there anything I can take that will help my immune system so I can resist a cold? (Yes I always get my flu shot every year). I'm desperate as I'm afraid one of my colds will kill her as she goes into pneumonia at least once a year and can't afford for me to be giving her all these colds. If it was just me suffering I could take it, but I'm terrified of getting any more of these blasted colds as it is taking a toll on her health. This last time I practically lived upstairs and she still got it. Any ideas on what I can do to get my resistance up? Thanks.    — Danmark (posted on October 9, 2002)

October 9, 2002
Hey Daniel, I am 11 months post-op and haven't had one cold since surgery. I figured it was because of all the vitamins that I took and that I eat fresh fruit daily. We have had a couple of colds run through everyone in the house and I am resistant. Maybe you could increase your Vitamin C consumption.
   — Cheri M.