Hey everyone,

This is my first post on the forum. Looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience to mine. I had my VSG operation on 4/17, spent one night in the hospital and was home the next day. Side note: I also had a hiatal hernia repair and my gallbladder removed. Waking up after surgery was a bit shocking at the amount of gas pain I felt, but like everyone has mentioned on here, walking really helped alleviate it quickly. I've had the usual pain in the incision left of my belly button where my stomach was removed, so it's been a bit difficult bending and getting up/down without my husband's assistance, but nothing major. I've also had some difficulty swallowing liquids (water, protein shakes, creamy soups, greek yogurt), I get a sharp cramping for a split second when it hits my stomach, but then it goes away after a few seconds. I've read that other people have had this too, and it usually goes away if you take smaller sips or it may be swelling from my hernia repair. So all in all no major concerns.

Today I've had something new appear though- I have a cramp on the right side of my abdomen at the base of my ribs. I feel it when I'm up and moving around or when I take a deep breath. It's not sharp, just a dull cramp that isn't going away. I've been getting in my 64 oz of water and 60g of protein, so not sure why this new cramp appeared today (actually last night before bed- I thought it would go away when I slept). Lastly (sorry this is super long), I have read about the phrenic nerve being irritated for some patients when the hiatal hernia is repaired, and I didn't think I had that issue, but now I'm not sure. For the last 3 to 4 days I've had the worst neck pain on my right side. It feels like a pulled muscle but it's constant and isn't getting better. I thought at first that it was probably due to the fact that I'm not able to sleep in my normal position and I must have slept funny and pulled a muscle, but does this sound like the phrenic nerve irritation that others have had? I honestly don't know.

After reading this over it sounds like I'm having a horrible recovery but honestly it's not that bad haha My pain level is very low, I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has had similar pains or experiences. I'm grateful for any advice.

Southern, Please put in a call to your surgeon's office. it is always better to talk to them about any new increased or failing to improve pain.

It will in most cases turn out to be nothing but the risk is not worth it. No matter the replies please just call and talk it thru with someone in the surgeons office and let them decide if it is routine or not.

These first weeks are the most risky.

15 hours ago, southernspice said:

Hey everyone,

This is my first post on the forum. Looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience to mine. I had my VSG operation on 4/17, spent one night in the hospital and was home the next day. Side note: I also had a hiatal hernia repair and my gallbladder removed. Waking up after surgery was a bit shocking at the amount of gas pain I felt, but like everyone has mentioned on here, walking really helped alleviate it quickly. I've had the usual pain in the incision left of my belly button where my stomach was removed, so it's been a bit difficult bending and getting up/down without my husband's assistance, but nothing major. I've also had some difficulty swallowing liquids (water, Protein Shakes, creamy Soups, greek yogurt), I get a sharp cramping for a split second when it hits my stomach, but then it goes away after a few seconds. I've read that other people have had this too, and it usually goes away if you take smaller sips or it may be swelling from my hernia repair. So all in all no major concerns.

Today I've had something new appear though- I have a cramp on the right side of my abdomen at the base of my ribs. I feel it when I'm up and moving around or when I take a deep breath. It's not sharp, just a dull cramp that isn't going away. I've been getting in my 64 oz of Water and 60g of Protein, so not sure why this new cramp appeared today (actually last night before bed- I thought it would go away when I slept). Lastly (sorry this is super long), I have read about the phrenic nerve being irritated for some patients when the hiatal hernia is repaired, and I didn't think I had that issue, but now I'm not sure. For the last 3 to 4 days I've had the worst neck pain on my right side. It feels like a pulled muscle but it's constant and isn't getting better. I thought at first that it was probably due to the fact that I'm not able to sleep in my normal position and I must have slept funny and pulled a muscle, but does this sound like the phrenic nerve irritation that others have had? I honestly don't know.

After reading this over it sounds like I'm having a horrible recovery but honestly it's not that bad haha My pain level is very low, I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has had similar pains or experiences. I'm grateful for any advice.

I am glad to have read this today, maybe to help you if you haven't called your doctor yet. I also had my sleeve done on 4/17 and have had many of the things you have too. I did not have a hernia repair or my gall bladder out though. But, I have had pretty constant and not nice neck/shoulder pain for a couple of days, I just thought it was just me trying to find a way to sleep that didn't hurt. Yesterday my left lung area started to hurt, esp when I took deep breaths, there was a sharp pain, but if I lay down its really not there.

long story short, called my surgeon's office. The nurse assured me that this was normal because i STILL have my drain and the neck pain was referred and the lung pain wash the drain tube moving and rubbing against my diaphragm. So that was me, I told my roomie from my surgery day this and she was relieved because she had this too. Call your doctor is my suggestion. Unfortunately for me, my pain can still be really bad and I have taken the meds which make me cry like crazy, so that was fun. Good luck, call your doctor just to be sure and keep healing! ☺

I'm 9 months out and have this same pain. My PCP called it colon cramps (sort of like IBS) since I didn't have the typical gall bladder symptoms, except pain. Since it's still there, we are doing another ultra sound and hida scan to see if it is a sick gall bladder. She also prescribed me a medicine for stomach cramps, and it's helping. It's called hyoscyamine. Definitely check with your Dr if you get the nausea, vomiting and funky colored stool. I felt better after reading plenty of stories of other sleevers who found relief from this medicine.

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