Should I be concerned?

Mrs. Mink · June 18, 2009

I was banded 1 week ago today. I thought for sure that I would be feeling much better in my recovery than I am. I am experiencing shoulder pain, nausea (even with a patch on), a sharp pain just below my left breast (I suppose where my stomache is), and a pain in the left part of my chest. It's as if the pain in my stomache area radiates up to my chest. With every breath, the pain is there. I began yesterday evening, and I thought it came on because maybe I got up too quickly from a laying down position. If I attempt to take a large breath, it really hurts. When I get up to move around, I feel extra nauseated, shaky, and start to break out into a small sweat. I also still have the feeling I've had since surgery day of like I"m being punched really hard in the stomache each time I belch a small bit. Should I be concerned, and call my doctor's office today? Or has anyone else experienced symptoms similar to these, and can tell me that it will go away on it's own? And is it normal to still be in recovery 7 days post op?

Medievalgal · June 18, 2009

How much are you moving around right now? Some of the pain you are describing (particularly the shoulder pain) sounds very typical post-op. The shoulder pain is commonly a sign of the gas used during your surgery (to expand your abdomen during the surgery) and should go away with activity.

My biggest pain (and lasted the longest) was at the sight of my port, which I would guess is the pain in the left part of your chest? That could also be the gas pain as well.

Definitely communicate your concerns with your surgeon, but also make sure you are moving around to get rid of any of that excess gas in your system which can be VERY painful. Surprisingly, the more you move around, the better you will feel.

Take care!!!

naynayto2 · June 18, 2009

I was banded 1 week ago today. I thought for sure that I would be feeling much better in my recovery than I am. I am experiencing shoulder pain, nausea (even with a patch on), a sharp pain just below my left breast (I suppose where my stomache is), and a pain in the left part of my chest. It's as if the pain in my stomache area radiates up to my chest. With every breath, the pain is there. I began yesterday evening, and I thought it came on because maybe I got up too quickly from a laying down position. If I attempt to take a large breath, it really hurts. When I get up to move around, I feel extra nauseated, shaky, and start to break out into a small sweat. I also still have the feeling I've had since surgery day of like I"m being punched really hard in the stomache each time I belch a small bit. Should I be concerned, and call my doctor's office today? Or has anyone else experienced symptoms similar to these, and can tell me that it will go away on it's own? And is it normal to still be in recovery 7 days post op?

I was having shoulder pain 1 week out and my doctor said if it is left shoulder it is coming from my diaphram because of the band. I had the pain off and on for about 4 weeks.

Your probably weak and shakey because your not eating much try to get those Protein shakes in, I know its rough but you have to do it a couple of weeks. The first week I didn't want anything I just had to make myself now I'm at 6 weeks and really sometimes forget I have my band.

Hang in there it will get better!

lapbandtalker · June 18, 2009

Yes, you should be concerned.

Air in the abdomen is awful. I just had a broken foot, bed rest and the gas builds up something awful. Sharp stabbing pain when I get up.

But moving around is the best thing you can do- that's why nurses have patients walk after a procedure, in part, to help move gas.

I'd let your doc know how much pain you are in. He may recommend bed rest for a day or two...you never know.

Mrs. Mink · June 18, 2009

I just spoke with the nurse, who then spoke with my doc. Apparently, my doctor did what's called a "soft fill" of my band when they did my surgery, and they feel it just may be too tight right now. So I am going in for my post op appt tomorrow instead of next week, and the doctor will most probably remove some Fluid from my band to see if it takes care of my discomfort.

Donnawanna · June 18, 2009

I was banded the same day as you and I am still experiencing many of the same symptoms...they do get better sometimes. I notice when I eat a little Soup I get the pain in my left shoulder worse, but it eventually does go away. I cannot tolerate slimfast Protein Shakes anymore giving me Water stools (sorry tmi) and gas so bad I can wake up the household...so my friend gave me Special K 02 water mix and that is working for now, at least I am getting some Protein in. I am on a liquid diet till next Thursday then on to mushies, but I go for my post-op tomorrow to get staples removed and will ask if I can bump it up a few days, at least be able to eat some Jello or applesauce/pudding, something!!! It's hard, but I'm sticking to it...I think the hardest is the gas and those pains, but this morning was a way better morning than the last so I'm thankful for that. I also had a hernia repair and was in surgery for three hours. Also, I started back to work Tuesday and it kicked my butt....I should have taken at LEAST a week off, silly, silly me..... hope you are feeling better soon, hang in there!