pain in shoulder- a "tell" that I have had enough?

[UKHEIDI 22]

Hi

I am 7 days post op.

I had pain in shoulder from the gas about day 3 after surgery plus gas pain and "discharge" down.

However, now, a couple of days on, as I eat on drink anything , I get a pain in the shoulder . It's not extreme but noticeable.

I am careful about quantity, eating over 20 minutes, eating what I have been told etc. I am fairly certain that I am not eating too much.

Is this the "tell" that my pouch is full?

Are there others? Someone on here mentioned hiccups as a sign to stop?

Or is this a sign of a problem brewing?

Thanks for advice and hints

[gohelpyourself 377]

I am assuming you are referring to your left shoulder? This discomfort is probably fleeting gas pains and/or a sign your pouch is full and it is pushing up on your diaphragm. I am pretty certain it is gas. Did your surgery take longer than estimated? The longer the surgery the more air they instill in your abdominal cavity. They are supposed to try and decompress it as much but it is probably impossible to get all of it out. Lots of walking around...that will help tremendously.

[bodie602 16]

This is also a sign of gall stones. Have your Dr check it out. I know 2 other people that have had that same thing happen.

[Beach Lover 1,084]

I have heard of others having this pain which signified they were getting full. Others have the traditional runny nose, sneezing or hiccups.

[mistysj 1,940]

All of these sensations are signals that the vagus nerve is being stimulated. Your vagus nerve runs along your spine close to your stomach and other organs. It refers pain and irritation to parts of your body that make your left shoulder hurt, make you sneeze, make your nose run, etc. If you get these sensations after eating, it means you had one bite too many. If it is random in the first two weeks post-op, it's your diaphragm being irritated by the gas still trapped in your body from surgery. If it is your gallbladder you will know because there is nothing mild about it, but yes your gallbladder can refer pain to your left shoulder too. But the pain will make you want to cut off your arm.

Edited January 28, 2014 by mistysj

[gohelpyourself 377]

gallstones the pain refers to the right shoulder.

[mistysj 1,940]

gallstones the pain refers to the right shoulder.

It can refer to either shoulder, your stomach, or your back with gallstones. For me, it always felt like I was having back spasms. Some people think they have appendicitis or are having a heart attack.

[gohelpyourself 377]

it is not as common to refer to the left shoulder. I am guessing since she is only 3 days post-op it is gas. My best educated guess.

[UKHEIDI 22]

Thanks for guidance- very helpful

[mamaplumlee 58]

I will get left shoulder pain almost burning and my arms burn sometimes after I eat. This is a newer thing and I am thinking heart burn or maybe eating too fast.

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

I experienced the shoulder pain until I was 5 or 6 weeks out. It was bad initially, but then it would act up after I ate or went walking/slow jogging. Heating pads helped tremendously for me. Thankfully, it did finally go away.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Curvy