How painful was your surgery?

Where was the majority of the pain at? (shoulder pain, port, incisions)

How many days was it really bad before it got better?

Could someone please explain why the gas and shoulder pain? I am a newbie awaiting surgery and never imagined this pain.

You have gas after surgery, because when they are operating Laproscopically (sp?) they use gas to expand your stomach so that they can see things easier. Some surgeons suck the gas back out. It isnt like intestinal gas or something like that. it is just gas moving around your body, which is why some poeple feel it in their shoulder. The best thing to get rid of it is to walk around A LOT because it helps it dissolve, and if you are lucky, you will burp it out. I hope that helped a little.

The biggest complaint I had after surgery was the pain from the gas. It was between my shoulder blades and it was very uncomfortable. I couldn't get comfortable sitting up or laying down and it was very discouraging. Finally, the pain started to go away. I have a little over 2 weeks out from surgery and I am feeling really good. I still have some discomfort, but nothing that can't be tolerated. Good Luck and Congratulations!!!

Could someone please explain why the gas and shoulder pain? I am a newbie awaiting surgery and never imagined this pain.

Its not the gas that have your left side/shoulder hurting, it is your nerve sending a signal to your brain that your shoulder is hurting but it really your diaghram being pushed up to make room for the lapband. your body had to make room for a foreign object, so once everything adjust it will pass.....

Overall, 5 MAX. It really wasnt that bad.

I, too, have had prior surgeries and did well with all of them. I had a back surgery, ovarian surgery, and a c-section. I pride myself on healing quick and did so with this surgery as well.

I remember waking from the surgery and asking my post op nurse for pain meds, i was hurtin. She asked what my pain # was and I think I said 8. She gave me meds. Then she came back 15 min later and asked me my # again and I said 6 and she gave me more meds. The next time she asked me I think I said 0 and laughed myself to sleep:drool:. When I woke up I felt fine, just sore. They gave me meds B4 I left and I took my meds @ home for 3 days. Then I only needed one at night for 2 more nights to help me get comfy for bed. I still have 1/2 a bottle.

I did have some gas pain but I had MUCH worse gas pain after my c-section. That was the worst part of my c-section. I got lucky with this surgery and only had some discomfort. I starting walking the day after surgery and my doc said that helps with the gas. I dont mean walking around the house, I mean slow walking a mile on a track.

Since you have had other surgeries, you are prepared for the experience and you will be fine. Take your meds if you need them and keep a good attitude. Dont just lay around after the few days after surgery. Move as much as you feel comfortable, it will help! GOOD LUCK!

My surgery was on 7/21. No pain at all. I had a migrain which brought on nausea.

For me the pain was about a 3-4. The surgery isn't bad. I think the worst thing for me has been the liquid diet. I'm not sure if this is normal but anything I drink gives me the worst gurgles in my stomach.

You have gas after surgery, because when they are operating Laproscopically (sp?) they use gas to expand your stomach so that they can see things easier. Some surgeons suck the gas back out. It isnt like intestinal gas or something like that. it is just gas moving around your body, which is why some poeple feel it in their shoulder. The best thing to get rid of it is to walk around A LOT because it helps it dissolve, and if you are lucky, you will burp it out. I hope that helped a little.

Thankyou, I hope there is something I can take for it.

How painful was your surgery?

Where was the majority of the pain at? (shoulder pain, port, incisions)

How many days was it really bad before it got better?

Pain is not bad at all. I was just banded on Monday & I've only taken about 5 doses of pain meds. Surgery was Monday, dose Monday afternoon & bedtime, I actually drove on Tuesday morning (real short. 5 min drive), dose Tuesday afternoon, went to a friend's house Tuesday night, dose Tuesday at bedtime, & Wednesday bedtime. I felt like somebody punched me in my stomach, but it was more of an inconvenience. Hate dropping things because it's difficult to bend. Turning over at night is difficult. Gas is bad but pain doesn't linger. Port site is sore & coughing hurts. But, with the exception of the quick 5 second bouts of pain, you'll be fine. The key is to stay medicated the first day. After that, you're good.

Thankyou, I hope there is something I can take for it.

A lot of people have suggested gas-ex strips.

Thankyou, I hope there is something I can take for it.

The shoulder pain, as others have said, is caused by the gas they use to inflate your abdomen. It causes pressure on your diaphragm and irritates the nerve running through it. That nerve also runs to your shoulder area and when it gets irritated, it can cause referred pain to the shoulder. This is long after the gas is gone so treating for gas pains is really not helpful. The pain meds are the thing that will help ease it, but the irritation really just has to go away over time. Walking and a heat pack seemed to help ease it for me, too.

I had the referred shoulder pain when I had my gall bladder out too.

If you have pain from gas in your stomach and intestines, Gas-X will help that. I had both gas pain and referred shoulder pain.

The first day home was pretty bad because I didn't fill the prescription for pain meds right away. So I'd so max 6/10. I had to take the pain meds every 4 hours for a few days and then started taking it less frequently until extra strength tylenol was enough and eventually I needed nothing. I also had a hiatal herni repair which adds to the pain. Most of the pain was at the port site though.

I just got out of the hospital and my friends are AMAZED at how well I feel. I had a small hiatal hernia repair done too. I think it kinda feels like being 7-8 months preg. Your stomach is bloated and it is uncomfortable but not painful. I only got the good stuff the day of the surgery and the next morning. They sent me home with nothing as far as pain meds and tylenol is fine.