I've been having cramping in the left side under the rib cage area. I'm not sure if its gallbladder related, since I got that removed. I was told it could be due to an abdominal muscle in that area. Anyone ever heard of this or dealt with this? The pain feels like a muscle cramp/contraction.

Edited January 11, 20188 yr by Green1

Oh yes ... last me .. almost exactly a month... First it started on my right side.. looord was it painful .. couldn’t lean that way on sleep on that side .. comes and goes.. and coughing omg!
Then it was my left side ... than it was gone. No more pain. My doc told me it was my muscle. Right under my breast area.

I had a pain on my left side under my ribs. I noticed it on a Sunday and by Thursday the pain worsened. Any movement such as couching, hiccups, laying on my side, etc would make the pain worsen. The doctor thought I had strained a muscle. Turns out it was a leak. I am not trying to scare you, but you should call your surgeon and let them know how you are feeling.

Doctor told my mom while I was in recovery that the left side is the side your actual stomach is on so could be more sore.

Definitely check with your team. That's where your stomach is so could be anything from surgical pain to a leak.

My surgeon explained that due to the size of the stomach he removed, and the fact he removed it from my left incision, directly under my left nipple about six inches, that is the cause of the irritation I am currently experiencing. He said it should pass with the next week.