back pain

sheeanisland · September 16, 2004

I am one week post op and I notice some back pain. Not really bad but I notice it a little. Especially in my shoulders from time to time. Is this still a from gas after a week or something else?

PamRN · September 16, 2004

It sure sounds like the gas pain I've been told to expect, though I'm not sure it should last til a week later. It's possible that it took longer to get up there for you. The posts here say try a heating pad and gasx.

Another thing to think about, do you still have your gallbladder?

An FYI for all you bandsters that still have your gall bladder: significant weight loss can cause a flare up of cholecystitis, (gallbladder attack) I'm not sure what the clinical rationale for that is, but it happens. One of the symptoms is back and shoulder pain, sometimes a dull ache, sometimes sharper. It should also be sore or tender to palpation up under your lower right rib cage. It may be accompanied by nausea/vomiting when it's at it's worst.

leatha_g · September 16, 2004

my shoulder hurt like hades.. however, it was my left shoulder. funny...

but, yep. i had my gallbladder taken exactly 6 weeks after my rebanding surgery. :mad:

the shoulder pain after banding can last quite a while actually. initially, 2-4 weeks, but I even had shoulder pain afterward. it was one of my signs of soft/hard stop in eating.

PamRN · September 16, 2004

What is soft/hard stop?

La_madam · September 16, 2004

Sounds like gas to me since you are only 1 week post op.. I had gas pains for 3 weeks, each day diminished though but still noticable..it gets better... Hang in there :mad: It's all worth it in the big picture of things!

New Hope · September 16, 2004

Sounds like gas pains. Try to walk as much as you comfortably can. Also, try standing under a "pulsing" shower. That seems to be soothing and to help those shoulder muscles relax. If it's really intense, you might get someone to put some Aspercream, etc. on it. Ben Gay works, but it'll clear your sinuses (and anyone around you) at no extra charge.

With my gallbladder, I would feel really, really yucky sick at my stomach after eating. I also had a lot of painful spasms, just below my right ribs.

Hope you get better really soon!:mad:

leatha_g · September 16, 2004

Originally posted by PamRN
What is soft/hard stop?

once banded, with restriction, you will begin to have signs from your band. these signs are letting you know that it may be time to stop eating or you may have gone 1 bite too many.

things like the shoulder pain, a sudden bout of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, one big hiccup. if you are eating and you had none of these things going on then they suddenly come on while eating. most often these are signs which can be what is referred to as a 'soft' stop. often a 'hard' stop is more painful in your chest/esophagus area..

when i first came home and was drinking constantly. i was fine if i was standing, but if i sat down and drank, i'd suddenly get this fit of coughing. it was my diaphragm making it'self known. some folks start sneezing, some hiccup, some get a runny nose all the sudden. it's really very amusing how these things manifest themselves.

sheeanisland · September 17, 2004

Wow that is so amazing. I do latley notice after I eat one big hiccup that is kind of painful. Interesting now I know where its coming from. I do think it is gas pain if you guys say it can go on that long. Thats what it feels like. Thanks lots of good info as always!

-Andrea