Where to put the heating pad???

housecatgirl · July 4, 2006

Ok...I am a biiiiiggggg baby:think but this pain in my shoulder is worse than the pain in my port area. Just when the port area pain was getting managable...the left shoulder pain starts.:faint: So, I am going to ask the husband to take me to the store now to get a heating pad but am I supposed to put it on the shoulder or tummy? Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.:omg:

JulieNYC · July 4, 2006

While he's at the store, get some of those IcyHot stick on Patches. Put two on your shoulder, the heating pad on your tummy, take some liquid Tylenol (or whatever pain meds your doc recommends) and you'll feel better in no time. The IcyHots saved me in my recovery!

Good luck.

msbug · July 6, 2006

Do you have a sewing machine or know someone who does? If so, take a kitchen towel or a piece of flannel, fold it so it makes a pouch about 12-18 inches, sew up the sides, leaving a 2-inch opening on one side. Fill it with uncooked rice (not the instant stuff!) and handstitch the rest of the opening closed. Throw it in the microwave for a couple minutes, then put it on your shoulder. I did this after I had my gallbladder out and after both my c-sections and it helped the pain more than anything else. I think it was the weight of the rice that helped the most, because I did not get the same kind of relief when I just used a regular heating pad. The extra pressure really made all the difference.

HTH!

rachele · July 6, 2006

Just wanted to add when this was going on with me, cold was 100% better than heat. My orthopedic doctor agrees, but whatever works for you is what's important. That shoulder pain is about unbearable. I was pregnant at the time and went without sleep (except for sitting up with the ice pack) for almost 3 days. Nothing for pain except tylenol or Ibuprofen, I can't remember which you can take while pregnant. I guess they determined mine was from the band getting pushed upward as the baby grew, stimulating some stupid nerve. Ugghhh. I feel for you.

LapBandit · July 7, 2006

You're not a baby...I agree that the shoulder pain was way worse than any other part of the surgery!!! I took gas-x and used a hot water bottle. Similar to the rice bag idea...I felt the pressure of the weight of the hot Water bottle helped as much as the temp. (It was hard to keep on my shoulder...I strapped it on with an old scarf!!) Luckily the shoulder pain went away within the first week but it was rough. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Stephanie MG · July 7, 2006

Hi, I tried heating pad, then my Doc called to check on me and he said to use ICE on the tummy, works way better than heat.

I had the shouler pain and then some back pain, still have a little of that. My surgery was 13 days ago.

GOOOD LUCK :confused:

Stay on top of the pain meds, hopefully you got a prescription, if not, have your Doc call you in some!

TexasTerry · July 7, 2006

Put the heating pad on your shoulder. Have hubby give you a back rub too. THe recovery room nurse did this for me and it was wonderful! I would have thought the back rub would be painful, but it was heavenly.

Terry :confused:

housecatgirl · July 7, 2006

Thanks for all the recommendations!! The gas pain is actually waaaayyyyyy better since I figured out not to use a straw. Now I find it difficult to take a deep breath. My chest feels really tight. is that gas, too?:rolleyes

mousecrazy · July 7, 2006

Keep with the gas meds...try the baby drops, simethicone. Not so much to swallow, more bang for the buck, so to speak. Also, move around as much as you can. It helps work the gas out. Remember, they gassed up your abdominal cavity so they could work in there, so the gas isn't limited to your stomach and intestines...move around. I liked a heating pad. Sometimes on my back, sometimes on my tummy, sometimes on my shoulder. I remember the gas pains being THE WORST part, and trust me, it will end....patience is one of the important lessons of band surgery. Hang in there!