Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Achey under right rib cage



Recommended Posts

I just got banded on June 10th. A couple days ago I started getting really achey under my right rib cage... It kinda radiates to my back shoulder. It makes it hard to take a deep breath. Bras make it worse. I'm not sure if this is just normal aches and pains from surgery, or if it's a pulled muscle... Or gall bladder? I see my surgeon in a week. So will address it with him then, because it isn't straight up pain...more of an annoyance right now. It is pretty constant. Anyone have anything similar going on? How many of you had gall bladder issues after surgery? (I really hope it isn't that)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Haven't had the WLS yet, but I have had gall bladder surgery. and the pain was a lot more than just achey. It was downright excruciating. So yours doesn't sound like gall bladder. maybe it's the port sight?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad to hear it's probably not gallbladder...could be the port site healing. I was told if my left side is painful to call...they never said anything about the right. Just got a little worried when I googled it and found a bunch of gallstone symptoms, and how it happens after WLS. Last thing I want is another surgery right now! I should just stay away from google, lol!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know what it is but i have it too. Especially on deep breaths. I can not lay but a short minute on my left side because of discomfort. My surgery was the 20th and I don't have any other issues but the pain from that, especially when i overdo it with a long day, bending and stretching to much. I have just thought it is part of the healing process but I dont know.

Colleen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on June 12th. I've had minimal to no pain, up until yesterday. All port side (near left rib cage), to where I can't slouch even the slightest bit. Driving today was awful. My underwire bra did not help it. It's not so much pain, as it is discomfort. I have good posture, but this is ridiculous. Forcing myself to keep my upper body completely straight, all day, is tiring, not to mention, bothering my back. I think I'm gonna finally have to take some of the pain meds tonight.

As for lying on my left side, I haven't been able to YET. I have two incisions there and I swear it burns inside to try and twist or shift. My husband was banded 3.5 yrs ago, and he said he had the same problem, same side. He said nothing is tearing, that it's the muscle near the work site incision. But this crap near my rib cage is pissing me off!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So it's on the right hand side for you guys too? I can lay on either side now, and the pressure actually helps it. Bras are really not comfortable at all...and deep breaths hurt. I can relate to the driving...I struggle to get out of the seat after sitting straight up for so long. If I turn the wrong way during the day....yowza! Surgery must really tear the core muscles up...sheesh!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine is left side.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Junebug36. Hi there and sorry for your pain -- don't wait it out a week to see the surgeon. Call it in. They want to know what's going on with you. Right side pain can indicate GB so have it checked out. You don't want it to get worse or become acute, whatever it might be. Call!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It seems to be getting better by the day, so I'm thinking it's muscle related. If it gets worse again, I will call. I'm starting to wonder if that's where my port is? My left side is fine, no aches at all. Can you ladies touch and feel your port under the skin? I can't seem to feel where mine is. I thought I knew right after surgery, but apparently I have no clue. Lol! I remember the surgeon saying it would be right up around the bra line area...higher up than I've seen others. I think he does that to hide it better as the weight drops.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You may be having a gallbladder attack. I would definitely call your doctor ASAP.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I can feel my port. It's just above my belly button.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery June 3 and my first fill last Friday. I thought I could feel my port, but my surgeon had me lift my legs off the table so she could find it and then it was really easy to feel!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My right side felt great today...but I will still ask the surgeon about it. I'll have to try that trick to see if I can feel the port...kinda weird having something right under the skin, isn't it? The port and needle business almost made me reconsider this surgery... But, I'm glad I went through with it :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×