One of the least talked about side effects after gastric sleeve surgery is just how cold you can feel once the weight starts coming off. Before surgery, we never really thought about it — we were always warm, sometimes too warm. But fast-forward 18 months, and now we practically live under heated blankets.
And we’re not exaggerating.
We’ve got heated blankets in the living room, heated blankets in the bedroom, and heated throws practically draped over every sofa. James even owns a heated gilet, which he wears to work all year round — even in summer. If it drops below 18°C, he’s shivering like he’s in the Arctic.
If you’re experiencing the same thing, you’re not alone. Here’s why it happens and what’s helped us.
Why You Feel Colder After Losing Weight
Cold intolerance is surprisingly common after gastric sleeve surgery, and there’s a very straightforward reason:
1. You’ve lost the insulation you used to have
Body fat acts as a natural insulator. When you lose a significant amount — like we did — your body suddenly has less padding to keep heat in. It’s the same principle as losing the lining of a winter coat.
2. Lower calorie intake = less internal heat
Your body burns calories for energy and warmth.
When you’re eating a fraction of what you used to, especially in the first few months, your body produces less natural heat.
3. Your hormones change
Weight loss affects important hormones, including those involved in metabolism and temperature regulation. It takes time for these to stabilise.
4. Blood flow shifts as you shrink
As fat decreases, the way your body circulates heat changes. Many people find their hands, feet, and nose become colder than any other part.
How We Cope (And What Might Help You Too)
Heated Blankets Everywhere
Truly — everywhere.
We didn’t think we’d ever be “heated blanket people”, but here we are, living the electric-blanket lifestyle and loving it.
They’re great because you can:
- warm up quickly after a cold walk
- stay cosy on the sofa without blasting the heating
- sleep comfortably without shivering
We use heated throws in the living room and heated blankets in bed. They’ve been lifesavers.
The Heated Gilet
This one is James’ favourite.
He wears a heated gilet to work every day, including summer. Yes — summer.
Inside the office, he’s freezing. Outside, he’s freezing. In the car, freezing.
The gilet has adjustable heat zones and keeps him warm without needing to put on heavy layers that make him feel bulky.
Hot drinks help more than you’d think
Warm squash, tea, coffee — they all help raise your internal temperature and make the cold a bit more bearable.
Layers, layers, layers
We’ve become the kind of people who carry hoodies everywhere “just in case”.
Lighter bodies get cold faster; layers help trap heat much more effectively.
Keep moving
Walking, cleaning, or doing small bursts of activity really helps warm you up.
Sitting still when you’re already cold just makes you colder.
Does Cold Intolerance Ever Go Away?
For most people, it improves as:
- your weight stabilises
- your calories increase
- your metabolism adjusts
- your hormone levels settle
For us, 18 months on, we still run colder than before, but it’s nowhere near as extreme as those first few months post-op.
Some people always feel colder after gastric sleeve surgery — it varies from person to person — but most at least find things improve with time.
Cold intolerance is one of those side effects that surprises almost everyone. You prepare for hair loss, smaller portions, emotional changes… but no one tells you that you might end up living like a Victorian grandmother wrapped in heated blankets at 2pm.
If you’re going through this, it’s normal, it’s manageable, and it does get better. In the meantime, heated blankets are a game changer — trust us.Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This post is based on our experience of life after gastric sleeve surgery. It is not medical advice. Always speak to your healthcare team if you have concerns about symptoms or recovery.