Body temperature is the result of your body generating and radiating heat. The body is adept at keeping its temperature within a narrow range even though ambient air conditions vary. A normal body temperature is 98.6?F. It is common during the period of rapid weight loss for bariatric patients to feel cold or chilled, even when their temperature reads normal.
People who experience the massive weight loss associated with weight loss surgery experience feeling cold for two reasons: loss of insulation and less energy generation.
Fat is a highly efficient insulator. Consider animals native to cold climates: for example sea lions and polar bears. They are loaded with insulation and thrive in cold climates. When gastric bypass patients follow the rules: eating protein and exercising, the weight lost can only come from fat or stored energy. In effect you are losing your insulation. Less insulation increases the likelihood that you will feel cold.
The second reason for feeling chilled is that the metabolic cell processes are not working as hard as when you were heavier; it takes fewer calories and less energy to maintain and move a smaller body. Think about using an electric mixer: if you are whipping egg whites for a meringue the mixer will do this task effortlessly. But use the same mixer to knead bread dough and it will become warm to the touch, it is working harder because it is moving more mass. The same thing happens with your body; the more mass it must move, the harder it works. As a result more heat is generated.
The body has two well-tuned mechanisms for regulating body temperature: sweating and shivering. What overweight person hasn't been embarrassed by a sticky bout of sweating at the most inappropriate time? Sweating is a mechanism for cooling your body when it becomes too hot inside. The body rids itself of excess heat by expanding the blood vessels in the skin so the heat may be carried to the surface. When this energy or heat in the form of sweat reaches the skin's surface it evaporates and helps cool the body.
Gastric bypass patients become more familiar with the second temperature regulator, shivering, as they lose weight. When you are too cold your blood vessels will contract reducing blood flow to the skin. The body responds by shivering which creates extra muscle activity to help generate more heat. If you allow your body to shiver it will begin to feel warmer. But this is also a good clue that it's time to put on a sweater or turn up the heat. I think most weight loss patients will happily wear a sweater ? a sweater is much easier to shed than that insulation we've worked so hard to lose!
Most weight loss patients report that their body temperature regulates after their weight is stabilized, usually eighteen to twenty-four months after surgery. Keep in mind your body is rapidly losing weight and the rest of your body's functions are caught off guard when this weight loss begins. The body's thermostat needs time to catch up to the weight loss, and it will. Patients who incorporate exercise in their weight loss program experience less chilling than patients who do not exercise.
Copyright ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved
Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..The cost of a tummy tuck is something to consider... Read More
We have all set them, and we will revisit them... Read More
If you're like most people who tried losing weight on... Read More
Many people have asked me what foods they should eat... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
Healthy eating has become part of your life, but you're... Read More
The low carb diet craze has become extremely popular amongst... Read More
The government, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians implore us to eat... Read More
College weight gain is at an all time high, and... Read More
Are you trying to lose weight?If you are, STOP!Funny thing... Read More
A reader recently wrote to ask why I don't include... Read More
Want to shed that beer belly? Why not try the... Read More
Most people who want to burn off some excess pounds... Read More
I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning.... Read More
Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More
It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More
Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More
The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More
The gastric bypass procedure isn't for everyone, but those who've... Read More
A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
Losing weight is a struggle that many of us face... Read More
Many of enjoy sitting down at Starbucks and enjoying a... Read More
As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..Did you know that what you're eating could be making... Read More
You have probably heard the old myth, that you should... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
One of the greatest tricks that I use to stick... Read More
If I collected a dime for each time I've seen... Read More
Many celiacs lose weight before they are diagnosed; indeed it... Read More
Today I stopped by my favorite coffee shop in Berkeley,... Read More
According to the American College of Surgeons, most severely obese... Read More
Barriers to healthy diets are placed into four broad categories:... Read More
NLP Setting an Anchor Process to Get Back Motivation for... Read More
1. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for... Read More
Have a conversation about gastric bypass surgery with just about... Read More
As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More
There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The... Read More
Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone... Read More
Finally - you are alone. No one else is around.... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
On the market at any given time, there are hundreds... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
Many people have asked me what foods they should eat... Read More
Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More
If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More
1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.As soon as... Read More
Weight Loss |