Pain In Left Shoulder After Lap Band Surgery ?

[kath109 1]

Hi all,

I was banded 8 days ago and things have been going really well but today I started soft mushy food and now have question. For Breakfast I had 1 scramblled egg and no problem with it so at lunch I tried 2oz Hormel canned white chicken with 1 tsp of FF cream of chicken Soup and it went down fine. I felt fine. Didn't feel "full" but def didin't feel hungry. About 30 minutes after I ate it I started having a pain in back of left shoulder -- nothing major and it went away in about 15 minutes --- any ideas if that is a sign for me? If so....what?

Thx Kath

[xavier 153]

Absolutely! It is a sign that you are full and if you eat or drink more you will be too full. In the area of your band there is lots of stuff in a small place (esophagus, top of stomach, diaphragm, heart, lung bases, etc) any of these if irritated can cause referred pain to (usualluy left) arm, jaw,neck, shoulder...thats why these can be signs of a heart attack.

Anyway I had the left shoulder pain after surgery and then later whenever i had eaten 'enough' but maybe nearly too much! Its a good thing really so getting stuck doesnt sneak up on you...I get it sometimes from heartburn too...this is going to help you eat right!

[ChanceTX77084 0]

Hey Newbie, I had my surgery on the 5th so I know exactly what you are talking about. The shoulder pain is completely normal. I read up on it and they said that when they do the laproscopic surgery and inflate you with CO2, the coldness of the air does minor nerve damage. The nerve runs from your stomach up through your shoulder, and you will feel the pain in your shoulder...apparently your left shoulder, because that is where my hurt as well. It repairs itself, so no need to worry. I've also 'heard' that it is caused from gas pressure as well, not sure because that wasn't in the article.

I'm having hell with food this week. I want to eat everything in sight. I'm not, of course, but it seems like the only things that I can eat are carb filled Soups...so I've already gained a pound and I've been losing like crazy. Not sure what I am going to eat tomorrow, but it will not be carbs. Good luck.

[kath109 1]

Absolutely! It is a sign that you are full and if you eat or drink more you will be too full. In the area of your band there is lots of stuff in a small place (esophagus, top of stomach, diaphragm, heart, lung bases, etc) any of these if irritated can cause referred pain to (usualluy left) arm, jaw,neck, shoulder...thats why these can be signs of a heart attack.

Anyway I had the left shoulder pain after surgery and then later whenever i had eaten 'enough' but maybe nearly too much! Its a good thing really so getting stuck doesnt sneak up on you...I get it sometimes from heartburn too...this is going to help you eat right!

Thanks so much -- I just wish I had read it sooner. I went out to my son's holiday concert and when I got home I knew I hadn't had enough calories or Water but was leary of trying any more food today so I Had a Protein shake and some Water but that mild left shoulder/back pain has now gotten to be very annoying! But so glad I have this info so I I know what it is and to listen to it moving forward

[Buzzy70 0]

Hey Newbie' date=' I had my surgery on the 5th so I know exactly what you are talking about. The shoulder pain is completely normal. I read up on it and they said that when they do the laproscopic surgery and inflate you with CO2, the coldness of the air does minor nerve damage. The nerve runs from your stomach up through your shoulder, and you will feel the pain in your shoulder...apparently your left shoulder, because that is where my hurt as well. It repairs itself, so no need to worry. I've also 'heard' that it is caused from gas pressure as well, not sure because that wasn't in the article.

I'm having hell with food this week. I want to eat everything in sight. I'm not, of course, but it seems like the only things that I can eat are carb filled soups...so I've already gained a pound and I've been losing like crazy. Not sure what I am going to eat tomorrow, but it will not be carbs. Good luck.[/quote']