Left scapula pain

[goodnuff 239]

Long story short, I was supposed to have my one year follow up today because I'm moving out of state next week but the office called to reschedule to next week and I'll be long gone by then. Anyway, I was going to ask about a pain I have directly below the lateral area of my left scapula nearly daily since surgery. It always started in the afternoon until this week when I've woken up with it. I'd say it's mostly a feeling of intense pressure/stretching with some burning. It doesn't seem to be related to just eating because if I have just a Protein Shake it happens also. The surgeon is supposed to call me next week but until then I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this, what it ended up being and if there are any suggestions to alleviate/eliminate it? Tidbits of info: I take Prilosec daily, I'm wondering if it's my gall bladder or possibly my diet. I've tried switching my food, amounts, bite size and amount of chewing with no noticeable change.

[grandmaofone 411]

Your gallbladder is on the right and would hurt on right under your ribs and maybe around to your back. I had to have it removed 6 months after my sleeve surgery.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

As a non-physician,I'd say it isn't your gall bladder. As Grandma of One said, the g.b. is far from the back of the left shoulder.

The only left-shoulder pain I've ever heard of or experienced is gas, but that settles at the front of the shoulder.

It seems to me that your pain is not surgery-related and that you should see a physiatrist (sports medicine doctor). There are a few possible problems of different degrees. Don't get excited, just get yourself checked out.

Edited February 3, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[Valentina 2,642]

When in doubt--check it out! Simple. Put your mind at ease and go have yourself checked out.

Be well. Be sure to let us know.

[skinnyrita 188]

I developed a burning, tingling pain in my back on the left side , below my scapula about a month after my surgery. I went to an Ortopedic specialist who did an mri and found nothing. He said the nerve pain was from deconditioning ( flabby muscle) and not having my scapula lie flat because muscle wasn't holding it properly. He recommended physical therapy which didn't completely cause the pain to go away. What has helped is the strengthening exercises and poses of yoga. I still have some of that burning pain when I'm tired or haven't moved in a whil, but it's not as bad as before.

See your doctor or an Orthopod first to rule out other types of problems, but it could be helped by exercise and conditioning. Hope this helps!

[jj7481 363]

This is why continued exercise should include strength training.

[goodnuff 239]

Thanks for the responses. I strength train three times a week, see a PT and get massages regularly. It's a very localized pain that until this week only came in the afternoon, after eating or drinking lunch. The left side is where I had the majority of pain post-op too.

I do plan to see someone, would have been nice to not have my appt cancelled on such short notice without an opportunity to see my surgeon before moving. I was just hoping someone else that had the same type of pain could share what theirs was. I'm certain it's somehow related to the pouch or where my bowel obstruction was seeing it started after surgery almost a year ago.

I'll have to wait until I get a job and established with a doctor after my move to get any answers.

[jj7481 363]

Interesting. Certainly follow up here and let us know what they diagnose as. I'd be interested to hear.

[Valentina 2,642]

You are sooo much nicer and patient than I. I would call the MD's office again and explain about your pain and about your move. Every office is SUPPOSED to leave room on their schedule for at least two "same day urgents." At least in NY state it is so. (I was office adm for a group of surgeons for a time).

If there is a problem of them getting you in I would take a book and sit in his/her waiting room (after telling the front desk why you were there) until I was seen.

If that failed I'd go to the ER. It's much easier and convenient for your surgeon to see you in his/her office than to have to see you in the ER where the paperwork alone will keep him/her there for hours.

Our doctors work for us. You deserve his/her time and expertise in a polite and professional manner.

Be healthy and keep in touch

[goodnuff 239]

So it turns out through the power of deduction, adjustment and finally elimination it was the Bariatric Advantage calcium chews causing the left scapula pain. After trying to adjust when and how I took them without any relief I stopped taking them 7 days ago and have not had any pain in as long. That was a long 11 months of pain! Now to find a replacement that won't do the same thing before all my teeth fall out, haha.