I have heard people talk about shoulder pain but I thought it was right after surgery. I am 2 weeks post band and now have p:confused::confused:ain in my left shoulder. What gives?

I still get sholder pain, usually when i eat to much or to fast and air gets trapped. I asked my dr about it and she said because of the closeness of the band to the diaphram it can bump it and cause the pain just like after surgery... it is very anoying. I use it as a warning sometimes. mostly though it happens after i am done eating.

That shoulder pain SUCKS! I remember it all too clearly because mine didn't happen right away either. From what I remember the Doctor telling me, they pump you up with all that gas during surgery so they can maneuver around inside the stomach. After surgery, the gas will slowly disperse and sometimes it creeps up into the shoulder causing EXCRUCIATING PAIN! But, it can take DAYS and sometimes WEEKS to go away (or, even just move around the body).

Whats happening to you is totally normal. In fact, don't be surprised if you still have it up to 6 weeks. :wink2:

GL !

278/226/180

Hi - I had terrible shoulder pain for quite awhile after the surgery. Actually, one week after the surgery, during my post-op appt. the doctor refilled my liquid vicodin scrip only because of that pain and how bad it was. I was actually off the vicodin for the surgery pain already, but when that shoulder started hurting it was so bad!!!

I had someone tell me that it was because there is a nerve that runs right near the band and up into the shoulder. So when the do the surgery, the bump it and the swelling may touch it, etc. Plus, I just had my first fill the other day and for the rest of the day and night my shoulder hurt terribly. Which would make sense if there is a nerve right near the band.

Honestly, once that shoulder starts hurting for me, there is not much that will actually ease the pain except waiting it out. I mean, the vicodin worked, but making that a habit probably isn't a great plan!!

It was recommended to me to use a heating pad and that would help, but I don't own one so I can't tell you either way if that works or not!

Good luck!! :biggrin:

I also have wicked left shoulder pain. Banded 2 weeks ago, pain was the first thing I mentioned when coming from the OR.

Found out on my follow up appointment, that I came out of anaethesia fighting. I had to be restrained and still have bruises on my arms. (Felt really embarassed-not a violent person). May have pulled my shoulder in the process.

My shoulder pain trumps my stomach pain 24 hours a day. It is the first pain I mentioned in preop and the only pain I cannot get under control. My nurse told me that it is trapped gas from the surgery but I know it could also be referred pain from the abdomen as the nerves are linked (kind of why people with gallbladder problems get shoulder pain). My oxycodone does not touch the shoulder pain and I wish I could find relief!

try using a heating pad..it was my lifesaver

I am 5 1/2 weeks post-op and have never had any shoulder pain, until last night. I did not relate it to the surgery for 3 hours as I laid in bed just dying, and worrying about everything else it could be. Pain meds did absolutely nothing. Then I had a thought about what people on LBT have said about gas pains in the shoulder way after the surgery and I got up and took 2 gas-x chewables. My pain was gone 10 minutes later. I was glad I finally remembered what advice was given here, but mad at myself for not figuring it out sooner. :wink2:

IM 5 weeks post op and i still get shoulder pain

I'm 16 months out and still get shoulder pain.... but only when I've over-eaten. It can be miserable, can't it?? And yes, the problem is that you don't feel it until it's way too late to do much about it.