Lap Band/Gastric banding LEFT shoulder pain

[JACKIEO85 308]

Left shoulder pain from LB and gastric banding is REAL

What I am referring to is NOT the Post-op pain from C02 that most often dissipates days to weeks AFTER Surgery.

I am referring to the Stabbing, Burning PAIN that is constantly present in one form of discomfort to you. This will and can lead to neck, upper back, chest discomfort that comes and goes. (BUT is localized to left shoulder)

The pain/burning that you experience can be from multiple reasons

1) over eating (this usually isn't persistent and goes away) at least that is my experience.

2)internal scarring from your band causing pressure on the diaphragm

3) after getting a fill,

Anytime the Diaphragm is irritated, contacted it doesn't feel pain, it refers pain, that pain is referred to the LEFT SHOULDER.,

That pain isn't going to immediately go away If you've experienced it long term, it will take the nerve some length of time to recover.

Please don't allow anyone, including your Surgeon to tell you it's NOTHING and it will go away. It will continue if the REASON for it happening isn't resolved.

I'm not posting to BAND BASH, I have one I have experienced this!

I BELIEVE THAT BEING EDUCATED IS POWER, LEARN TO EMPOWER YOURSELF TO BE HEALTHY AND EDUCATED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

[Dulci 108]

If you have pain, get it checked out by a specialist. I started having left shoulder pain and I was concerned that it was referred pain from the vagus nerve. I spoke with my PC doc and after an MRI and referral to an Orthopedist, I was diagnosed with a tear in the rotator cuff and the beginning stages of frozen shoulder syndrome.

After a cortisone shot and some PT, my shoulder is feeling great!

[catfish87 3,471]

If you have pain, get it checked out by a specialist. I started having left shoulder pain and I was concerned that it was referred pain from the vagus nerve. I spoke with my PC doc and after an MRI and referral to an Orthopedist, I was diagnosed with a tear in the rotator cuff and the beginning stages of frozen shoulder syndrome.

After a cortisone shot and some PT, my shoulder is feeling great!

I had rotator cuff surgery...fixed my shoulder pain. I had shots for a couple of years, but finally gave in a had it repaired. 100% better.

[JACKIEO85 308]

THANKS!! For all the wonderful advise!!!

I posted this as a reference for others, I just didn't want to have to go into my entire story but I'll post it to my profile.

Let's just say : BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

I Never thought the Left shoulder pain could be connected to my BAND. BUT IT IS!!

1) I saw a orthopedic surgeon had X-rays for rotator cuff & cortisone

injection (no relief)

2) saw my Internist

3) saw my Chiropractor

4) saw the bariatric surgeon ( didn't believe it was band related)

5) had chest X-ray

6)had Spine X-ray

7) had ENG

8) have an order for MRI but insurance denied need, which is a good thing because after FINALLY convincing my surgeon to take 4cc out of band the shoulder pain is starting to slowly resolve.

The pain started after a fill to 9cc (not all at once, but eventual) and continued for 5 months until my unfill to 5cc.

Coincidence? I Don't think So

[catfish87 3,471]

Glad to hear your pain is resolving and you are finding some relief.

I know it hurts...been there, done that too!

Mine was caused by a rotator cuff tear, and it took an MRI to confirm. XRay showed the arthritis.

[Ms. New New 0]

I find it so ironic that I came across this discussion. I recently got results back from my MRI that didn't show anything but I would have these pains in my left shoulder...I even had an X-ray done and the result of that was Calcium build up...but I don't drink that much milk...

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

I was fixing to ask this same question. Glad i looked first.

Banded 3+ years ago and i notice that if i over eat i get terrible pain in my left shoulder. NEVER the right and always in the same spot. Not the joint area... mine is where the neck and shoulder meet. The big muscle. I did mention it to my WLS but he never elaborated. It hurts so bad sometimes i put heat and cold compresses. It does go away about an hour or two after i eat. And it's mostly at night.

[JACKIEO85 308]

UPDATE: First let me say that all of the above mentioned reasons can cause shoulder pain.

BUT the left shoulder pain I have experienced since Oct 2013, BANDED 04/09 until now IS related to the LAP BAND, It's stated in the information from ALLERGAN.( reported side effect)

After the unfill the stabbing pain has started to resolve BUT it's not gone, range of motion is VERY limited and is still causing burning, Can't lift my arm for any extended period of time, heat or cold doesn't resolve this. Nerve pain takes a long time to resolve.

MRI showed nothing to cause shoulder pain, next step is to remove the band.