Question:
I'm SOOOOO cold!
I'm 7 months out from Roux en Y, and I am freezing! I stay cold all the time, even though I dress warmly. My hands especially are cold. What causes this and what can I do? My co-workers are going to kill me if I touch the thermostat again...they've promised me! — Linda S. (posted on November 3, 2002)
November 3, 2002
I am 4 months post op and have the same problem. I was talking to my doc
about it and he laughed and said that I have lost all my insulation that I
have been used to all these years. He also said that my body would
eventually adjust to the new me. Good Luck and get an Electric
Blanket....lol!
— DRutherford
November 3, 2002
Ditto! It makes my husband NUTS!!!! Don't know that there's anything to
do for ti though....
— jen41766
November 3, 2002
I can definately relate. I am 3 months post op and have had this problem
continually. I disagree with the theory that it's because I have lost my
insulation. Only because I have had this problem since I was only a couple
of days post-op. I had only lost 7-10 pounds at that point. I don't think
it's enough to make me THAT cold. Before surgery I was always the one hot
and my hubby cold. Now the roles have been switched. He hates it! All I
tell him is, "now you know how I felt all those years!" As far
as a remedy, I haven't found one yet but PLEASE let me know if you figure
it out before I do! Until then I plan on spending a lot of money on
fleece, flannel, turtle necks and long johns! :)
— Laurel C.
November 3, 2002
Ive been told it was caused by the sudden surge of hormones that are
released from our fat as it burns...and that can happen immediately after
we start to lose (for me that was 1 day pre-op on the new liquid diet -
lost 5 pounds overnight!). Messes with our internal thermostat. Layer your
clothes is the best remedy I've found - and gloves if you need them. You
may look foolish, but you'll be warm!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 3, 2002
Seems like I heard that when you take in fewer calories to enable you to
burn fat - your "thermostadt" shuts down some to conserve in case
of "famine". If you had a problem with excess perspiration
before wls- hopefully that has stopped.
— charlene M.
November 3, 2002
I experienced the same thing after my RNY, but was told that if I could
just "hang on", it would get better. Well, I'm now 32 months
post-op, in chilly NC. My nose still feels like an ice cube, my nailbeds
are perpetually blue, I wear socks and flannel to bed even in the summer,
and I have given up all hope that this "gets better". The bright
side is that I can always add more layers of clothing now. Pre-op, there
were just so many clothes that I could remove without being in danger of
being charged with indecent exposure. A few chill bumps is such a
wonderful trade-off for being short-of-breath, drenched in perspiration
with the slightest exertion or increase in temperature, and being unable to
enjoy any activity that would take me out of my frigidly air-conditioned
home. Buy some warmer clothes and thoroughly enjoy your new life :-)
— Diana T.
November 3, 2002
Almost everyone goes through this. It does get a little better. ONe thing I
would suggest is that you have your blood work checked. Anemia can cause a
feeling of cold also. But, that is not necessarily the cause, just one
thing ot get checked. GOod Luck! Keep Warm!
— Vicki L.
November 3, 2002
I was on of the few morbidly obese people who could not tolerate cold (one
of the reasons I moved to Florida). I always worried about the people I
saw sweating away. Since surgery, I got colder so we had to set set the
air conditioning at 79 degrees. But now, I am just fine. 1 year out most
problems resolve themselves.
— faybay
November 3, 2002
You are not alone sister. Me too and I'm 10 months post-op. My advice,
invest in a nice cardigan and keep it at work. Pick a neutral color as you
will be wearing it a lot. They now call me "Mrs. Rogers."
Whatever, I'm warm!
— Janice P.
November 3, 2002
Weird things happen. I was always hot -- slept with the window open in the
winter -- in MICHIGAN! -- until my first child was born. I joke he stole
my thermostat. My RNY last May seemed to bring this around a bit, but my
side of the bed still has an electric blanket to preheat it and I travel
with a heating pad for my feet. If you are cold at night, these tricks can
shave an hour off of your falling asleep time. I don't think there is any
rhyme or reason to this, but controlling the symptoms might make survival
more comfortable. Good luck!
— Karen F.
November 3, 2002
Your fat is gone. Mine too. Buy an electric blanket & pray for
summer.
— Goldilauxx B.
November 3, 2002
I am freezing 99% of the time. I drink non-caffinated coffee, and NSA Hot
Chocolate most of the day. Also, I eat soup for lunch. See if your work
will let you put a small space heater under your desk. If your feet are
warm it may help warm up the rest of your body. Good luck! Signed
'Freezing in Wisconsin'
— dianehanson
November 3, 2002
Just had to pipe in here as I sit at my desk with the space heater on.
Always was so hot. Last nite got out of bed and put on fuzzy socks, I have
never worn socks to bed except for when I had the flu. Glad to know I am
not alone, that is the wonder of this site. As soon as a question pops in
my head, I find the answer right here. 7 weeks post op -47#.
— Dana S.
November 4, 2002
It's hot as heck here in the summer and I was wearing long johns, socks and
a lap blanket while my boyfriend turned up the air conditioner wearing a
t-shirt and shorts! He complained all summer long that it was too hot in
our place and that I kept turning the thermostat down. This is the coldest
I've ever been! I need to go shopping soon to buy a warmer blanket and a
space heater for under my desk at work! :o)
— Jennifer A.
November 4, 2002
I am freezing to death as we speak!! I am 2 years out and it doesnt get any
better. I have learned to turn on a space heater in the bathroom about 10
minutes before I get out of bed.. well I go and turn it on and come back 10
minutes later so when I take a shower I dont freeze to death when I get
out. I have asked my hubby for a very thick robe for christmas.. Also I
have learned to LAYER my clothes... You should see me when it is 30 degrees
out.. I look like Nanook the eskimo. I think the reason for it is that we
are so "lean" and dont have the body fat anymore. I hate it!!!
I used to be burning up all the time even in Winter.. I never even owned a
coat before.
— danabky
November 4, 2002
I was ALWAYS hot... even in winter. Now at 18 months out... I'm always
cold. But I'd rather be cold than hot.
— Danmark
November 4, 2002
It is a big difference to go from feeling overheated all the time, hating
summer, and praying for winter to come, to being cold most of the time. We
have lost our insulation and like the others I sleep with a heating pad on
top of the blankets at night. The worse though is first thing in the
morning having to get out of a warm bed into the warm shower and then
getting out into the cold bathroom! Brrr...
— Cindy R.
November 4, 2002
Been there....done that! Still doing that! It doesn't get any better
because you've lost your fat, which is an insulator. An electric mattress
pad is the best and I use it year round! Good thing I have a king bed and
it has dual controls because my husband burns up! LOL
— Lynette B.
November 5, 2002
I have to say I also agree with whoever said it wasn't that we've lost our
insulation, although I am sure that is part of it. I started freezing the
day after my surgery in my hospital bed! I needed several blankets and I
was always asking them to turn the heat up in my room. The poor nurses
would come in sweating! I also disagree with whoever said it ends in a
year. I had my surgery 1 year and one month ago, and I am still cold,
possibly colder all the time! (down 255 pounds-yay!) Anyway, I have no
answers for you, I just wanted to say you're not alone, and I sleep MUCH
better now that I have added my electric blanket to the bed! LOL
Pam
— pamwashere
November 6, 2002
I thought I was the only one experiencing this. Whether if it's caused by
a loss of insulation or what, I'm still cold! My nose, fingers and toes
are like ice. Now that winter is here it's even worse. When people at
work laugh at me for being cold in what they think is a perfectly warm
room, I stick my fingers on their necks. Once they give a good jump they
stop laughing but I have a good chuckle. ;P
— Carmen K.
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