I'm three days post-op and today has been awful. I have a constant ache in my shoulder and get stabbing sharp pains that are painful enough to bring me to tears. I've tried walking, and taking gas-x and applying warmth and nothing helps. I'm absolutely miserable.

What can I do?

Aside from the shoulder pain I'm healing well and only have minor tenderness at my incision sites.

So sorry you're in pain! I hate to say it....but there isn't much you can do besides what you are already doing -- heat, walking, and pain meds. The pain is from the gas they fill your abdomen with during surgery so they can see better. They take as much of it out as they can before they close up but some still stays trapped in your abdominal cavity. It's not intestinal, so gas-x might not help all that much. Eventually your body gets rid of it on it's own. Unfortunately, this gas often sits around your diaphragm and pushes on one of the major nerves in your body. This sends the pain signals to your shoulder and that's what you're feeling. It might be worth it to contact your doctor and see if they can give you a stronger pain medication, one that will help the shoulder pain. I hope you feel better soon! Hang in there, it gets better

Enlist a pal to give you rapid, sharp karate chops in the area that hurts. A couple of times a day. This helped me immensely. Good luck.

Sorry to hear you're in pain. The gas has to absorb into your body to be diffused. Antacids won't help. I used a walk off the pounds video by Leslie Sansone. You can find it on youtube. Its a low impact exercise and usually covers a lot of muscles in the upper and lower body. Contacting your doctor is a good idea too. Good Luck.

Empathy vibes coming your way!!! I experienced the same thing last week and everything everyone has already told you is very true. Hang in there and just know that it will all be worth it!!!! Good luck

I remember the shoulder pain was terrible. Someone on this sight said to walk around and flap your arms like a chicken. I think that actually helped. A heating pad helped too after the pain wasn't quite as intense. Once you are healed, if you eat too much the shoulder pain comes back. The worst is that it happens about 10 mins. after you overeat. Hope you feel better soon!

laying on the side which I assume is the left side will help diffuse the gas too. warm liquids and heat to the shoulder is about all you can do. you are walking so you are doing what you can do. for abdominal gas is where the gasx works. you get that after surgery because your bowels were put to sleep as well as you were. it takes time for them to work. post op can be hell but you will get through it and than welcome to bandster hell!!!