Question:
WHY AM I SO COLD? I'M A LITTLE OVER THREE MONTHS
OPEN RNY AND AS OF TODAY I HAVE LOST 50 PDS (WHO0PPEE) BUT I AM ALMOST PAINFULLY COLD. I KNOW THAT I HAVE LOST SOME OF THE FAT THAT KEPT ME WARM, BUT I CAN'T EVEN SIT OUTSIDE WITHOUT A BLANKET. I ALSO THINK MY IRON IS A LITTLE LOW, BUT WHAT ELSE COULD CAUSE THIS COLDNESS? — sandy V. (posted on June 6, 2003)
June 6, 2003
This is my nonscientific personal opionion. I believe it is because we are
burning up the fat, it's kind of like getting chills when you have a fever.
I'm 11 months out (down 118 or 144 pounds depending on where you start
counting) and it has gotten better. My DH just had surgery 3 weeks ago and
he is now freezing when I'm comfortable - he turned the heat back on when
it dropped to 70. However, when I look at summer clothes, I reject anything
that does not have long sleeves for office wear - they keep that place
frigid. Good luck. Peace
— Sunny S.
June 6, 2003
I am 10 months out today. And I am still cold all of the time! I have a
little lap blanket in the living room that I use at night, I keep two
sweaters at work (different colors) to slip on when I get cold, and I drink
warm tea during the day to keep the chills at bay. I love it when I get to
the tanning booth (it is so warm and cozy). I also keep a little lap quilt
in my vehicle for when the family is hot and has the AC on, then I can
cover up and be comfy.
I used to be a big time sweater. I hated helping at church and school,
because even the lightest duty job left me red and sweaty. It was so
embarrassing. Now I do all the jobs, I set up tables and chairs, carry
supplies up and down the steps..... So there are some advantages to not
staying warm.
I used to be the one turning the heat down and the AC up, now if the AC is
below 72, I am freezing! My bedroom is in the basement, so I also use and
electric blanket, it is one of our blankets, so if I get chilly, I just
turn it on for a little while.
Life is Grand! Enjoy your new body!
— Dana B.
June 6, 2003
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSEING THE CHILLS AND COLD?I STARTED IN THE HOSPITAL
SO I DON'T THINK IT IS ABOUT LOSEING ARE INSULATION (FAT).MY BROTHER, ALSO
HAD WLS IN OCT.2002,HE IS ALSO COLD ALL THE TIME.IT'S JUNE AND I STILL AM
PUTTING THE HEAT ON.MAYBE WE WLS LOSERS WILL HAVE A GOOD COOL SUMMER,NO
A/C?GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.5/9/2003-20LBS.
— DEBORAH D.
June 6, 2003
I am actually the opposite, I am usually really warm. However, in the past
prior to WLS, whenever I felt 'bone-chillin cold' it was because my thyroid
was out of whack. The low iron does play a role, but if it has been a while
since you had a TSH done- I would recommend it. With weight loss goes the
change of metablolism and that is also effected by the thyroid. Good Luck.
Jan
— Jan S.
June 6, 2003
I am a little over a year out and I freeze all the time. People at work
are constantly making fun of me for being in sweaters and jackets when it's
90 outside, but I can't help it. At home when I'm alone I don't even touch
the A/C. When my family is there they can't stand the heat so they turn it
on and I just layer on more clothes. So far I haven't seen much change in
it either. Looks like I'm going to be like this for quite a while longer.
— Vicki H.
June 6, 2003
I attribute it to the weight loss and the shedding of my fat blanket. I
used to be warm all the time pre-op and winter was my fav time of year.
Summer was too darn warm and sweaty for me. This year, I froze during the
winter and so far, the heat of early summer is welcome. I, too, don't wear
short sleeves at work because the A/C is too cool for me and I always have
an extra sweater in the office. I also still sleep in flannel as hubby
likes to sleep withthe window open! 16 mo post-op and it hasn't gotten
better yet.
— Cindy R.
June 6, 2003
Hi there! There is nothing to worry about. I have heard several surgeons
say that it is just because you are losing fat very quickly. If you are
afraid of low iron, speak with your doctor about it. Otherwise,
cold=weight loss, so enjoy! Congrats on your 50# weight loss so far. That
is awesome!
Pre-op
— Michele B.
June 6, 2003
I think there are lots of different theories for this. I personally don't
buy the losing my insulation thing. I think it has something to do with
how little we eat. I mean they always say our bodies are a furnace and
food is the fuel. The only reason I say this is that I have always been
one of those people who was hot all the time. To the point of wearing
shorts in the winter! And now I am always freezing! Not because I have
lost my insulation, because it started the day I had surgery and hasn't let
up since. I am now 10 1/2 months out. My labs have all been fine so I am
guessing it's not that. It's just been something I have learned to live
with. I wouldn't trade the weight I've lost to be warm again in a million
years. Sorry I probably didn't answer your question but figured I would
tell you that you are definately not alone. Good luck.
— Laurel C.
June 6, 2003
This is going to seem weird, but I believe it has something to do with less
fuel to run the car. For the past three years, I drink only liquids the
first three days of the month. During these three days, I freeze to death,
no matter what the temperature. I begin eating on day 4, suddenly I'm no
longer cold. This is every month without fail, summer or winter. I am
normally a hot natured person (who wouldn't be at 260?), but I go through
this change every month.
— Denise B.
June 6, 2003
I saw one answer that said they didn't buy the losing the insulation.
Well, personally, I do. My mother lost approx. 80 lbs and not from by-pass
surgery but rather sheer determination. She was always HOT before that and
after her weight loss, she was always complaining of being cold.
Unfortunately, she has since regained most of the weight and is once again
complaining of being hot.
— Pam A.
June 6, 2003
I too experience this sudden coldness. When I asked my nutritionist why,
she said it is because we have what is called visceral fat (fat that
surrounds our internal organs) and this is the fat that is lost first.
Because our internal organs are not as "insulated" as before, our
core temperature is not able to sustain as well as it was with more fat. I
don't know how accurate this is, but it certainly made sense to me.
— Pam T.
June 6, 2003
I had my LAP RNY on 10/09/02 and until mid-April, I was cold constantly (I
mean like going to bed wearing socks, sweatpants and at least two shirts).
One of our nurses explained that the body's metabolism slows down given the
reduced calories (but luckily ketosis burns the fat away)and that makes you
cold. It seemed to work b/c now that I am eating a little bit more (being
8 mos. out), I'm not as cold even through this misearable stretch of rainy
cool weather. But,heck, by having the operation in the fall and winter,
you can lose your weight and feel comfortable in a bathing suit by the
summer.
— SteveColarossi
June 6, 2003
Its very common, I am nearly 2 years out and always cold. Considered moving
to a warm climate, take showers to get warm. I hate long sleeves they make
me feel like I am in a straightjacket. After a lifetime of being too hot,
this and a sore tush is a small price to ay to be healthier. Do make sure
your not anemic.
— bob-haller
June 6, 2003
I had my 2 week check up last week and told the doc I was having problems
taking the iron sup. He explained that one of the first signs of low iron
is being cold....so as Bob just said, have that checked! Of course the
thermal blanket we are loosing helps too!
— Sharon B.
June 6, 2003
i, too, was painfully cold 24/7 after i lost a significant amount of
weight. my surgeon said it was my personal thermostat re-adjusting itself
& it would take time, but, eventually it will regulate itself.
eventually came 1 year later when my weight loss stabilized at -120lbs.
then and even now, i wake up every single morning & am so terribly cold
that i cant stop shivering, but, i discovered that as soon as i eat some
protein, i warm up & im fine the rest of the day. so i have to agree
with both theories of lack of insulation & 'fuel for the gas tank'.
— sheryl titone
June 8, 2003
I don't think it's because of being in the process of losing weight or even
because of the reduced calories we eat. I am more than 3 years post & I
still freeze all the time. I'm no longer losing weight & I eat enough
calories to maintain my weight. I personally, don't expect this to change
now; I am trying to get used to it & you DO learn to accomodate. For
example, I went to a movie last night in shorts & a very light summer
top (it was in the mid-80s here) and took a warm jacket with me. Boy, did I
need it, too!! I may actually take a small blanket next time as I was STILL
cold! I read a doctor once said it was a metabolism thing. I don't know if
that's true or just WHAT causes it, all I know is that it seems MOST of us
experience this side effect & it also seems like a pretty permanent
thing. I really don't mind, over all. It's often easier to add clothing
& warm yourself up than to cool yourself down (you can only take off SO
many clothes!). And before I lost the weight, I was ALWAYS too warm &
would even sweat. I hated that & the phrase: you don't sweat much, for
a fat person. ugh! Now if I sweat, it's cause I'm at the gym, riding my
bike or otherwise working out!
— Kathy W.
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