Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/16/2010

Question
My boyfriend has had gastric bypass as well as several spinal surgeries.  He claims that as a result of anesthesia he "can't stand the weight of clothing or blankets on his skin" when he sleeps.  He also claims this is a very common side effect of surgery. As a result he sleeps above the covers in only his underwear and must have the temperature in the room over 80 degrees.

He says that prior to these surgeries this was not the case. That he preferred a cool room and blankets to sleep.

I have been unable to find corroborating evidence to this claim.  I have never heard of this from any other person who has had surgery.

My goal is to determine if this is a true side effect or a possible mental health issue.

Thank you for your time.

Answer
This is NOT a common or even uncommon side effect. There is no evidence to support this. Whether this is a mental health issue, I can't say. He should certainly be seen to rule out other endocrine causes of heat intolerance.

Ronald Levy. MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston