I had surgery yesterday (sleeve) and have been freezing ever since - especially now that I am home? Has anyone else experienced this? Also, I live in Southern California so it’s definitely not the weather

Hi Vickie -

Yes, I was cold when I got home from surgery, and that was in July! It’s not so bad now, but I do use an electric blanket at night.....

You will be freezing cold for the first year. This was a totally new experience for me, since I was always the one who was too hot. But after 12-15 months or so, things got back to normal and I don't feel so cold anymore.

it's really common during the first several months post-surgery

49 minutes ago, AZhiker said:

You will be freezing cold for the first year. This was a totally new experience for me, since I was always the one who was too hot. But after 12-15 months or so, things got back to normal and I don't feel so cold anymore.

Your so lucky, AZhiker. I’m 17months & still cold (which is great as we’re heading into a Queensland summer). I froze doing my grocery shopping yesterday. It’s the lack of my old fat insulation I know.

Feeling cold post surgery is caused by the shock to the body & the anesthetic. It usually passes but then as you lose your fat insulation, you too will will be more sensitive to the cold.

Congrats on your surgery.

2 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Your so lucky, AZhiker. I’m 17months & still cold (which is great as we’re heading into a Queensland summer). I froze doing my grocery shopping yesterday. It’s the lack of my old fat insulation I know.

Feeling cold post surgery is caused by the shock to the body & the anesthetic. It usually passes but then as you lose your fat insulation, you too will will be more sensitive to the cold.

Congrats on your surgery.

Thank you! I’m so glad I did it

5 hours ago, AZhiker said:

You will be freezing cold for the first year. This was a totally new experience for me, since I was always the one who was too hot. But after 12-15 months or so, things got back to normal and I don't feel so cold anymore.

Completely the same for me. When I got back to "normal," it was like a normal person--not always hot like I used to be.

Yes, it's common for bariatric surgery patients to feel cold after surgery.

I absolutely could not get warm for the first several months. It was spring in Texas and I was bundled up as if I were in Antarctica!

The good news is that it gets BETTER.

The bad news, you MIGHT have a noticeable change in your temperature tolerance for the long term. I'm 2.5 years out and I'm still cold quite a lot. Not the freezing, "I cannot get warm" cold, but I tend to wear layers and keep lap blankets around at all times. It's quite annoying to my husband who is exactly the opposite. He'll be in shorts/t-shirt and I'm walking around in a sweater and long pants.

I am 9 days post op and yes I have been FREEZING ever since! I used an electric blanket in the hospital, and have had to use one since I've been home! I was a little cold natured even prior to surgery even though I am heavier, and now it's even worse! But I'd rather cuddle up anyday and lose this weight!!??

9 hours ago, S@ssen@ch said:

Yes, it's common for bariatric surgery patients to feel cold after surgery.

I absolutely could not get warm for the first several months. It was spring in Texas and I was bundled up as if I were in Antarctica!

The good news is that it gets BETTER.

The bad news, you MIGHT have a noticeable change in your temperature tolerance for the long term. I'm 2.5 years out and I'm still cold quite a lot. Not the freezing, "I cannot get warm" cold, but I tend to wear layers and keep lap blankets around at all times. It's quite annoying to my husband who is exactly the opposite. He'll be in shorts/t-shirt and I'm walking around in a sweater and long pants.

I love your handle - Outlander?

2 hours ago, VickieRenee said:

I love your handle - Outlander?

Yep. When I was setting up my profile/updating it, I was obsessed with Outlander. I thought it was fitting for my life circumstances at the time as well. Still love Outlander, but there's only so many times I can re-read the books during drought-lander time.

Haha - true that!

I am 15 years Post Op and am still freezing! I can never stay warm unless it's literally in the 100's. I am used to it and on the plus side, my hubby runs hot, so I put my ice toes on him!

On 11/3/2020 at 7:39 PM, Arabesque said:

Your so lucky, AZhiker. I’m 17months & still cold (which is great as we’re heading into a Queensland summer). I froze doing my grocery shopping yesterday. It’s the lack of my old fat insulation I know.

Feeling cold post surgery is caused by the shock to the body & the anesthetic. It usually passes but then as you lose your fat insulation, you too will will be more sensitive to the cold.

Congrats on your surgery.

I still get quite cold in the grocery stores, but it isn't as bad as it was a year ago when I had to wear a jacket everywhere. It really is amazing how the body reacts when the layers of fat are gone! I cannot swim in most pools now, unless they are at least 85 degrees. 90 degrees is better. I just get soooo cold that it is painful. Besides, I lost all my buoyancy and I sink now instead of bobbing.

The positive side is that you will tolerate heat so much better. We had the 2nd hottest summer on record this year, and it was HOT. But I was fine. In the past, I would have been dying. I also would have been battling the yeast infections in all my folds and creases, along with chaffing on my thighs and arms. No more of that now! So I'll wear a sweater anytime over those horrible infections!