I'm glad I found this site; other generic WLS sites don't have the info I'm looking for so here I am. I live in the Central Coast area of California, will be having my surgery (if all goes well with the insurance) on July 21 with Dr. Pamela Foster in Burlingame, CA. I have a question about the shoulder pain mentioned so often -- does anyone know what causes it? Does it happen to most patients? Thanks!

Welcome! I'm a NorCal girl too--just farther north in the Fairfield/Vacaville area. I was done by Dr. Husted in San Francisco. I'm not sure about the left shoulder pain. I definitely had it for a little while. I've read two theories--one that it's gas from the surgery, the other, that the band is near a nerve to your shoulder. I've really no idea what's really up. Post something if you find out the real reason, I'm curious!

Best of luck to you and your band journey!

Thanks for shoulder pain info; I'll check with my surgeon next visit. When was your surgery? How are you doing?

Hello, from Southern Calif. My doctor also said it was gas pain from them filling you with air during surgery. It feels as if you have severe indigestion. The walk, walk, walking that everyone talks about, lessens the pain or takes it away. I'm not talking about walking miles, I walk back and forth across the house a couple of times. I'm 5 days post op, and I have to admit the first 72 hours I felt it a lot, which is exactly what the books say. But today, I've felt it only a couple of times.