I know that some patients suffer shoulder and neck pain post op, but for those who had surgery 6 mos ago or longer who intially had this pain, when did it go away, if it did and was it permanent or does it recur? It would be nice to give those that are either in the process of getting the surgery or for those that have already had it and are experiencing this sort of pain, hope of this passing. HELP!!!

I can't imagine having the pain for that long. Once in awhile I will get pain in the neck when I eat something too fast and it kind of gets stuck, but the initial pain I had post op is gone.

Dear Healthforlife,

Did you have lap band surgery? I had it 7/9/08. I talked to the doctor yesterday because of my left shoulder pain. He said that 1:700 patients have this and is usually caused by the tubing touching the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. The brain thinks that the pain is coming from the shoulder. It's called referred pain. He has had some success in patients when he shortens the tubing. I first started getting my pain after my first fill. Some people get it if they eat too much. My primary said I could try Lyrica since it helps with nerve pain. Is your pain any better? When do you usually get the pain?

I had LB surgery on September 2nd. Hmmm, I'll have to ask my Dr. about my tubing. I have gotten the pain during drinking or eating and not necessarily too much. It's really annoying. I haven't had it as bad lately though. I hope I'm getting over it. I haven't had a fill yet and I'm praying it doesn't occur after that. I hope you get to feeling better.

Dear Healthforlife,

Did you have lap band surgery? I had it 7/9/08. I talked to the doctor yesterday because of my left shoulder pain. He said that 1:700 patients have this and is usually caused by the tubing touching the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. The brain thinks that the pain is coming from the shoulder. It's called referred pain. He has had some success in patients when he shortens the tubing. I first started getting my pain after my first fill. Some people get it if they eat too much. My primary said I could try Lyrica since it helps with nerve pain. Is your pain any better? When do you usually get the pain?