Shoulder pain

[Tomkat 24]

Anyone experience shoulder pain after surgery? Left shoulder if that matters. No other issues. 8 days post op. Feels like I slept on it wrong.  Hurts horribly. But this has been since day 3.

[Lynda486 783]

This did not happen to me, but others here have had this issue. From what I understand it is a referred pain and probably something to do with the gas left behind. Hope you feel better soon!

[Lbtnew 89]

I am 4 months out and my left shoulder has been in excruciating pain for a few weeks. To the point where I can't sleep. I did however have rotator cuff surgery about 3 yrs ago. Need to schedule orthapedic though if I ever want to sleep thru the night again

[Losingit2018 1,170]

41 minutes ago, Tomkat said:

Anyone experience shoulder pain after surgery? Left shoulder if that matters. No other issues. 8 days post op. Feels like I slept on it wrong. Hurts horribly. But this has been since day 3.

Call your surgeon. That can be the sign of a leak. Don’t take any chances.

particularly pain in left shoulder can be a symptom. Always better safe than sorry.

Edited December 17, 2019 by Losingit2018

[Lbtnew 89]

17 minutes ago, Losingit2018 said:

Call your surgeon. That can be the sign of a leak. Don’t take any chances.

particularly pain in left shoulder can be a symptom. Always better safe than sorry.

I know your comment was directed to OP who is only 8 days out but could a leak also pertain at 4 months ? Just pain the last few weeks

[Tillawen 12]

I'm also 8 days post-op and am experiencing pretty much the same thing. Left shoulder pain, it feels like a really bad muscle pull. The pain comes and goes, but can get up there on the pain scale.

I'm also having some other pain in my abdomen, particularly the left side and chest left side, but I think this is largely due to gas/IBS.

Pain meds have helped a little bit, but not as much as I would have liked. There have been several times where I considered going to the hospital or ER strictly for pain relief, but thankfully those periods pass. Usually the pain is manageable.

I went for my one week follow up yesterday and mentioned my shoulder and other pain. The PA didn't seem concerned.. I was worried about a leak, but she attributed it to gas, soreness from being manipulated during the surgery, and potentially spine related due to past back issues I've had (I don't think that's the issue personally). My left abdomen pain she said was likely due to scar tissue from having a Lap-Band removed when I was converted to RNY.

Personally I'm still concerned about having a leak and am going to see how I do over the next few days.

[Tomkat 24]

@Cheeseburper I spoke with my dr and they think it’s gas pains. We will see over the next few days. I go for a 2 week check up Monday. I also have pain on my right side, abdomen. They said that’s where the surgeon does most of his work and it would be more sore.

[Saxons 71]

7 hours ago, Tomkat said:

Anyone experience shoulder pain after surgery? Left shoulder if that matters. No other issues. 8 days post op. Feels like I slept on it wrong. Hurts horribly. But this has been since day 3.

Yes, I did following my lap gastric sleeve 2 years ago. It's the gas used to inflate your inside so they can see. Often a lot of that gas is trapped and irritates the phrenic nerve. I came out of surgery in pain and teary.. Not because they had operated on my stomach, but because that shoulder tip pain was exhausting. Things I tried: lots of walking to try and encourage the gas to dissipate, Nogas tablets.. But it took about 3 months for it to settle down completely.

[Losingit2018 1,170]

8 hours ago, Lbtnew said:

I know your comment was directed to OP who is only 8 days out but could a leak also pertain at 4 months ? Just pain the last few weeks

I am not an expert but if I had severe left shoulder pain at any point post op I would definitely call my surgeon.

Good luck!

[Wineguy 37]

I had front left shoulder pain for a day after surgery and was told it was gas related. It went away and I haven't had it since. Regarding a leak however, you would be having a fever and likely nausea in addition to the pain.

[RobertaMSN 60]

For one day post op I also had severe left shoulder pain but it went away by the next day. It's better to be safe and call your doctor but Wineguy is probably right - it's probably gas-related and your body would be reacting more to a leak as he says. It's hard not to worry, though. I was also worried at first and was thankful when it went away. What helped was going for a walk outside the next day which helped clear the gas and resultant shoulder pain. If not in too much pain overall perhaps try going for a walk and see if it helps.