Dia

Heather, that definitely happened to me today, about hurting after I ate. Today was my first day of real food - I didn't have breakfast, but for lunch I had some cut up chicken and mac 'n cheese. I was not hurting at all until I ate that. Same thing happened at supper. So while it's painful and very annoying, I guess I can look at it as something to help me not overeat, because it is soooo not worth that pain.

:smile:Thanks Vid, that does help. It gives me hope that it will go away and not that I'd wish this on anyone but it makes me feel better that I'm not alone in this.

Thank you for your encouraging words Jeen. I'm exactly 2 weeks post-op today, so I think (for me) I should be back to my old, pre-op, pain-free self. It's just so discouraging when it literally hurts to breathe.

Don't apologize for ranting Livn. I'm furious about this, more at myself for not knowing about this ahead of time. I consider myself to have researched the band thoroughly and I did know about residual gas pains in the left shoulder. But for some reason, I missed the possibility of the nerve/diaphragm thing. I knew that there would be a few "cons" to having this surgery but to me, the "pros" outweighed them. But living with sharp, stabbing pain in my shoulder and painful breathing were cons that would make me think even more about not having it. I'm really hoping this is temporary and will go away like Brenda's post suggests.

Brenda, I tried to google the info you gave me but I can't find it. I'm thinking I have what you described, I don't think it's gas anymore. I'm hurting under my ribcage (diaphragm?) and it radiates up into my left shoulder and neck. I'm really hating this band now. I have some liquid Lortab that I take at night that totally makes the pain subside but I don't think my doctor will refill it again. I am calling his office in the a.m. and hope to speak to a nurse who may be able to help or give me some advice. According to your research, are you saying that for most pts, it goes away after about 5 weeks? I'm so hoping that how it goes for me.

I haven't eaten anything today and I'm in pain in my left shoulder area. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks post-op and I really wish I hadn't had this surgery. I'm tired of hurting. Today it just hurts to breathe. I'm really scared it's this nerve/diaphragm thing and I'm guessing there's no cure? Other than taking the band out?

Angelface, I've been banded a little less than 2 weeks, and I assure you, "cold feet" is completely normal. I too had serious doubts 2 days before my surgery, for several reasons. One was being put to sleep, but mostly it's because I really, really love food. While I was beyond sick and tired of being overweight and battling my weight, I also grieved a little (and still do some) for having to give it up. I'm still finding my way with this band. I haven't had a fill yet, so I'm still hungry and craving all the foods I did before. By reading this board as much as I can, I just have to have faith that the band will work for me once I have a fill(s) and start eating some regular foods (am on full liquids now). Please know that your feelings are normal. Also know that the first few weeks of having the band possibly will be filled with emotional ups and downs as you get used to having to find your way with what you can and can't have. I have a newfound respect for the addicts I see on that t.v. show on A & E, "Intervention". Before, I didn't understand why some of them would balk or flat out refuse to go to rehab. Best of luck to you and Godspeed with your recuperation!

I have spoken to my dr about my pain, twice in fact. I called last Friday (4th day post-op) and had my one week follow up appt this past Tuesday. He said it could still be gas but if it continued that maybe a round of physical therapy would be in order. I know residual gas pain is common and I'm hoping that's all it is. I don't want it to be nerve or disc related. If it's gas, I'll gladly pay my dues like everyone else but last night, I was scared that it was something more. I was scared it WASN'T gas. This morning is a lot better. Hopefully last night was just a fluke and that I'm on my way to getting that gas out.

My dh is a pain clinic patient, and among other "goodies" he has, he has lidocaine Patches that are amazing. I took liq. Lortab about an hour ago and have 3 patches on so the pain has subsided for now. It may well still be gas, but I swear, it feels like something worse, like a pinched nerve or something torn. I'm up and very active. The only thing I don't do is pick up my 26 lb son, (or anything else over 10 lbs) per dr's orders. I take my gas-x and the heating pad brings only very little comfort. Thank you all for your replies and esp you Brenda. Big hug for your informative post.

Hi everyone, I was banded Monday, April 14th and still have intense pain in my left shoulder. Has anyone had gas pains this long? I thought yesterday it was finally going away, but today it was back worse than before. I'm dying and wishing I'd never had this surgery. I'm fine with my band and incisions, it's this shoulder pain that is making my life miserable. It seems to have moved across my shoulder toward my neck. I'm thinking it's not gas, it's something altogether different. I never hurt before surgery, so maybe it's a result of having my arms outstretched during surgery. Pinched nerve or disc is what I'm thinking. Someone please tell me that this will go away quickly. I'm sobbing now from the pain.

For those of you who used Dr. Byars, what is his pre and post op diets? Dr. King's is 2 weeks pre-op clear liquids (w/ SlimFast Optima 3x day) and 2 weeks post-op clear liquids, minus the slimfasts. I'm no doctor, but to me, that is very extreme. A month of no nourishment? I know we can't be eating whatever we want but the body requires fuel. Dr. King is who I plan to use but I'd consider using Dr. Byars if his is not so extreme. That is, if that's allowable. ETA: I know for a few/several days after, most don't even have an appetite so this may not be an issue. But there is little to no nourishment in clear liquids (broth, water, sf jello, sf popsicles). I would think skim milk and maybe thin soups would be better than nothing. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

My surgery is re-scheduled for April 7th. I start the liquid diet AGAIN this coming Monday, 3/24, as long as I'm not still sick and have no fever. I still have to see the surgeon on 4/1. I don't know what all is going on with me, but my throat feels like it has a grapefruit in it and is very, very sore. Sinus drainage? I have a headache and feel like I've been beaten. So even though yesterday I was severly upset, I guess I should be glad that the dr. refused to operate. I can't imagine feeling this way on top of being sore from surgery. I just hope and pray that I don't get sick all over again. :thumbup: I need to eat to help get over this mess, but I need to watch it or I'll be going through carb withdrawal all over again.

My surgery is re-scheduled for April 7th. I start the liquid diet AGAIN this coming Monday, 3/24, as long as I'm not still sick and have no fever. I still have to see the surgeon on 4/1. I don't know what all is going on with me, but my throat feels like it has a grapefruit in it and is very, very sore. Sinus drainage? I have a headache and feel like I've been beaten. So even though yesterday I was severly upset, I guess I should be glad that the dr. refused to operate. I can't imagine feeling this way on top of being sore from surgery. I just hope and pray that I don't get sick all over again. :biggrin: I need to eat to help get over this mess, but I need to watch it or I'll be going through carb withdrawal all over again.