Severe shoulder pain

[mnn2501 0]

Ok I am almost 3 weeks post op, I had the normal shoulder pain due to the gas the first couple days, then it went away and did not have any more issues with it. I am slowly adding some real food back in along with my mushies. I walk daily and am back at work (a desk job). Yesterday out of nowhere after lunch (mashed potatoes, gravy and small pieces of beef - chewed very well - about 4 oz total) I got the most severe pain in my left shoulder (scale of 1 to 10 it was an 8) that I had to leave work. I took pain medication at home and put a heating pad on it and stayed in my recliner and after a couple hours it died down to about a 2 on a 1 - 10 scale and finally went away last night.

Anyone else have this issue? any ideas what caused it? :thumbup:

[girlie2shooz 0]

i have had it, i know what you mean. i am 2 weeks post op and i know when i need to eat because my shoulder and neck on the side starts to ache. i have read somewhere on this board about the relation of nerves that react from the esophagus/stomach. i wish i could recall where it was, but it was very informative. it listed examples of what can trigger the pain and it really made sense, if anyone else knows please point us in the right direction. you may be able to google it as well. g2s

[cantweight2go 1]

Did you 2 have your hiatal hernia fixed during your surgery? The pain may be because the food changes are bothering your hernia repair. For some reason the shoulder pain is triggered by the hernia repair. This is what my Dr. told me.

[CarlaG 0]

I did have the hernia repair and I am struggling. I had my surgery 2 days ago and tried to do Protein drinks yesterday and I was in agony. Now I just went to the bathroom and I think there is some blood in my urine.

I've been eating sugar free popsicles, sipping Water, ate some egg drop Soup and some bullion broth but I don't think its enough.

How long does this shoulder pain last?

[mnn2501 0]

Nope, no hernia for me.

[cajungal 0]

I was banded on 3/10/08 and have severe shoulder pain. My best friend had banding on the same day and also has shoulder pain. Today was my first day of soft veg. and mashed potatoes and I have been having a very heavy feeling in my chest. I used Gas-X strips per my Drs. suggestion but it hasn't helped. Any suggestions?

[Sue Magoo 71]

Carla:

I'm guessing you shouldn't be having blood in your urine. I think you should call your doctor.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sue

[ywilson 0]

Blood in your urine is not usually a good sign. I would contact my doctor. Hope you feel better very soon.

[CarlaG 0]

During surgery they do insert a cathedar and as I already have UTI problems I think between the cath and not getting enough fluids that is what is causing the blood. I did go today to Sonic and bought some of their ice (thanks HarleyNana). It is very easy to chew and a lot easier to take in then trying to sip. I like my Water very cold and the sipping thing doesn't really work because it gets warm to fast.

I feel much better this evening and I'm getting in a lot more Fluid but I may still call in the morning to ask. The surgeon gave antibiotics at the hospital so I don't know that I would need anything else at this point.

Thanks for everyone's concern. I can't believe the difference a day makes! Yipee!

[jjsmiles 3]

Sometimes shoulder pain is also a reflection or sign of stomach emptiness or conversely being overly full. I noticed the shoulder pain again after I got my first fill, about 2 months after my surgery. I get the pain when I haven't eaten in a very long time (4 or 5 hours) and also sometimes when I get quite full.

[215Lee 0]

I am almost 5 weeks post-op. Had the same problem, but around a week ago it just stopped. No signs of shoulder pain. I think you stomach is still healing and when it feels better, it handles gas better and your back to normal. I haven't had any problems since I got use to eating regular food again. You probably just need a little more healing. 8- )

[RicksWife 0]

I have had my band for going on 5 years, the EXTREME left shoulder pain is caused from a nerve that is located near the banding site, but the pain oddly enough radiates in you r left shoulder...it is normally caused by gas or eating in volume...for the best solution, lay on your left side and pass gas...believe me it WILL work.

[barbara9460 1]

"I did go today to Sonic and bought some of their ice (thanks HarleyNana). It is very easy to chew and a lot easier to take in then trying to sip. I like my Water very cold and the sipping thing doesn't really work because it gets warm to fast."

Wow... two days post-op and you think you have blood in your urine??? CALL YOUR DOC RIGHT AWAY! I was banded on 5/9 and was told that very cold stuff like ice and ice pops will cause pain because it makes the band feel tighter. I get chest pains when I eat ice. Frankly, it's been said in many places that we should be drinking room temp liquids - ice cold is not good for the system. That's not band info, that's just health info.

hope this helps! Feel better soon, but do call your doc! Unless your surgery was very involved or was an open procedure, they shouldn't have needed a catheter.

Barbara

[bigpoppy 1]

I have had my band for going on 5 years, the EXTREME left shoulder pain is caused from a nerve that is located near the banding site, but the pain oddly enough radiates in you r left shoulder...it is normally caused by gas or eating in volume...for the best solution, lay on your left side and pass gas...believe me it WILL work.

How do you know it is a nerve? My 6 week follow up is in 2 days and I would love to tell my surgeon about that nerve.

Thanks

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I hate to say it, but left shoulder pain is very common with some lap band patients. I know someone who had her band removed because of it. I talked to Dr. Tersigni about it and he said it had nothing to do with the lap band. However, I have been on this board and another one so much since being banded, I know it's band related. Mine went away after about 4 months.There are way too many people who talk about it for it not to be band related. It seems to get worse if you get really full, or after a fill, but for some people it comes and goes for no apparent reason.

It has something to do with the vagus nerve, but I don't really understand it.

I am glad you found lap band talk! You will like it better here than Obesity Help. This place has organization and everyone here is so supportive. I will see you if you come next month to support group!