Okay...I am freakin' out. I was banded on 3/8 and I am having such a difficult time. I am having horrible pains in my left shoulder--and it has gotten increasingly worse everyday. Is this gas?

I am so confused...and I feel like I can't go through another day like this.

I was banded 2/23 and had the same pain for about one week. My surgeon told me it was due to stitching on my abdominal wall. I've seen a lot of posts where they refer to this pain caused by the injection of air into the abdomen region. To help with the pain I wore 8 hr. heat pads, this really helped me.

The pain is most likely caused by gas. It really helps A LOT if you walk around when the pain starts. Walking was the key for me. Have not had the pain in my shoulder since about the 2nd week after surgery!

Denise, first of all, congratulations on getting your band (I am looking forward to joining you as a bandster)!

I echo what rdbiles said. There are sooooo many threads on here about this very topic. Use the search function and look for shoulder or shoulder pain. It seems the surgeons don't do a very good job sometimes of warning their patients about this pain... If you search and read some of the other threads you may get some other ideas about what to do for the pain. I know what I have read has suggested the Gas-X strips for easing the gas some and walking, walking, walking to get it moving and out. Also as rdbiles said, put heat on it. Many have said they lived with a heating pad on their shoulder for a few days. I know that is on my list of things to purchase before surgery. Target and Walmart have a moist/dry king sized pad for a pretty decent price (less than $25).

Good luck!

I had horrible pains to that slowly subsided over time - walking didn't really help and I walked miles and miles - i used gasx and my guy rubbed/patted and gently massaged my back/shoulder area and I burped and passed gas - it was heaven. Also be careful drinking to fast or too much (and eating if you are eating yet) as that will also cause pain in your shoulder.

it's gas I was bannd on 3/5/ and my pains didnt come until 3 days later i had 1 and half box of gas x and plenty of walking....it finally got better on Saturday i dont feel it much now

hang in there sweetie

i was banned on 3/5:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

those pains started on wednesday and left on sunday:phanvan

1 and a had boxes of gas x and walking helped me

Hi, I had my lapband on 3-8-07. It went well, and I am feeling better every day. I have had no problems. just the discomfort in the left shoulder, and around the insicions. Can anyone clue me in on what to expect as far as bowel movements? (Hate to sound so earthy on the first message!)

Hi - I was banded March 9th and I too am experiencing pain in my upper back and below my breast bone. When I feel pain, I try to inhale deeply and exhale slowly sometimes that helps, other times burping helps too. Walking does help a bit. My friend said that heat pads helped her a lot.

Heldie

A friend of mine had gas pain so bad that he went to his primary care physician and was given a shot of some sort that relieved the pain completely.

I ditto the walking...but laying totally flat also helps me. In addition, the pain in my shoulder is much worse when I eat too much...so keep an eye on that.

To help alleviate the shoulder pain, you can walk, use a heating pad, rock briskly in a rocking chair, stuff like that. Just keep that air moving around in there, and eventually it will find it's way out. Otherwise, it settles into different areas and causes this pain.

Good luck, and congratulations! Welcome to bandland!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Got the rocking chair...and I'm ROCKIN"

:heh:

The only change I have experienced is that I may skip one day before a BM. Banded 2/23

Rebecca

Hi, I had my lapband on 3-8-07. It went well, and I am feeling better every day. I have had no problems. just the discomfort in the left shoulder, and around the insicions. Can anyone clue me in on what to expect as far as bowel movements? (Hate to sound so earthy on the first message!)