Odd pains - not sure if I should be worried

[OzCaz 34]

I am 6 weeks post op and am still getting a pain under my ribs on the left. I also get a pain under the ribs in the middle. It isn’t there all the time. It comes and goes.

The one in the middle seems to be related to eating - the one on the side not so much.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this and might know what it is. I spoke to my GP about it and she said there could be internal stitches still causing problems, or it could be related to the diaphragm.

Not hugely concerned about it as I think if it was a real problem the symptoms would be more severe.

[MrsGamgee 756]

I'm about the same distance out from surgery as you, but I haven't experienced any pain that wasn't eating related since the first week (that pain under the sternum). That said, I have read a number of other folks mentioning pain on the side that comes and goes. Considering all the messing around that was done to our insides, it's not surprising that it may take some time to heal up our innards. When recovering from my C-sections, I found I would get odd twinges of pain even months out. Nerve regeneration could be a partial explanation.

If it gets worse I would suggest contacting your surgeon, but otherwise just give yourself some more time. Hang in there!

[GradyCat 3,692]

I'd say at six weeks out you're still healing. food will sometimes feel funny and also there's that main stitch from the incisions, so those are probably the reasons for the pain. Take care.

[KarenLR75 496]

17 hours ago, OzCaz said:

I am 6 weeks post op and am still getting a pain under my ribs on the left. I also get a pain under the ribs in the middle. It isn’t there all the time. It comes and goes.

I haven't had surgery yet like you and the others have and since they've gone down this path I'm sure they are correct..the only thing that came to mind when I read your post since I didn't have much contribute as I'm waiting on a new July surgery date...is that if you ever get extremely concerned, I've made the mistake of not reaching out to my specialist (you mentioned your GP) and asking.

In my situation I had gotten PE's in my lungs in 2011 - massive amount of clots. One of the things that you find out after an event like this is you can get pain that almost identically mimics the pain felt with a heavy clot burden and after going to ER once and finding out no new PE's, I hesitated ever to go again..and on a forum I joined they said ALWAYS better to be safe and embarrassed and alive.

I know you aren't talking the same level of possible threat to your life/health, but it's just something I keep in mind when I get really concerned, that it is ok to call a specialist and just ask. THANKFULLY, ppl on this board are familiar with the myriad of "things" that you can feel post surgery and can help winnow out better than I can, when it is time to go ahead and call.

[hmwilcox578 33]

How are your bowel movements that was one of the biggest pains that I had after the initial surgery didn't hurt anymore but the bowel movements you really need to get that stuff moving that was some of the worst pain that I had to endure it after the operation and it lasted about a week or so afterwards and that's kind of right where it hurts up underneath your ribs inside your colon kind of hard to describe the pain kind of travels

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[traeleo 41]

I had bypass surgery on May 23rd. I am experiencing the same kind of pain. It’s not severe but very annoying. It’s like a crook in your neck type pain but on the left side under the ribs. I am concerned because my main incision was over my belly button. If you find out something let me know and I will do the same.

[Recidivist 1,141]

I had the exact same pains your are describing at around the same time after surgery, when I was transitioning to "normal" food. I attributed it to adjusting to the new normal and trying to eat too much. I'm now at 4 months and haven't had those pains for a long time. It gets better!

[OzCaz 34]

That is so good to hear - I certainly hope you are right.

I am definitely trying new things, and feel that some may not be agreeing with me, so have gone back to less controversial food.

I have also had two bouts of diarrhoea since trying some things - bread for example, and a couple of sweet biscuits.

I didn’t think it was “dumping” because I didn’t get shakes, but now believe it might be how my new internal arrangements reacts to things.

Total learning curve!