Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Someone please help with this shoulder pain!



Recommended Posts

I was banded last Thursday and everything has been tolerable except for this intense sharp pain on the top of my left shoulder and it gets worse after i've eaten. i've tried a heating pad and walking and walking and it keeps coming back and it seems worse every time, it's HORRIBLE and brings tears to my eyes. Does anyone have suggestions and could explain why gas is in my shoulder!?!?!?!??!?!?!:thumbup::scared2::ohmy:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear you - OW how I hear you!! I am 3 months out and it hasn't gotten a lot better - a little less frequent, but it doesn't hurt any less and it is especially strong and sharp after eating. Certain types of foods (any flour products or starches - no idea why) seem to increase the sharpness/serverity of the pain for me.

I asked the doctor and nurse and they said it was the "vegus nerve" (pls excuse the spelling) which is located near the diaphram. She indicated that the diaphram is very swollen after lapband surgery and especially as I had a "significant Haital hernia" repaired at the same time and the swelling puts pressure on that nerve - the result is sharp stabbing pains in the left shoulder and (for me) the left collar bone. The doctor did say that eventually the swelling will go down and the pain will ease up - I am praying and waiting!!!

Restless Monkey (who I think is a medical professional) put some really good info out about this topic a couple months ago - hopefully she can give us a more definitive/hopeful respons

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Had surgery Thursday and also had to have a hernia fixed. The left shoulder pain is the biggest problem! Done the walking, done the heating pad, taken the pain medicine and it is still bad! Help!!!:blush:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on Wednesday and also had a hiatial hernia repaired. I made sure I stayed active during the day but once theshoulder pain started (after meals) I would take the Gas-X and lie down. Then the gas would start to come out. I did find that if I was eating and started to feel the pain, to stop eating and go back to it later. Take the GasX

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It makes sense that this is coming from nerve pain, as far as nothing will help. My doctor's nurse said unfortunately time and the GasX, which I have been using the strips and usually only 1 at time, has anyone else found a better way or should I be taking more than 1 and should they be taken before I eat a meal or right after? :blush:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For the first time, I was woken up at 3:30 in the morning with bad gas pain- in my shoulder and back. I took a Gas x and then eventually fell back to sleep. I'm going to try the heating pad idea next.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Audreym got some great info! Usually post op like this the shoulder and neck pain is "referred" pain...it's actually our diaphragms that are sore! (odd, huh?) Mine hurt when I breathed deeply, like after exertion. Oddly what took care of mine in a snap was my husband rubbing my neck and shoulders, a la massage therapist. It really took only about 30 seconds and POOF the pain was gone. You want to be really careful using heating pads and sleeping on them etc...you can hurt yourself that way. AND if the pain is referred pain from the diaphragm, Gas X won't do a thing for it. Gas X only works to break up gas in your stomach.

It will improve as you heal. Mine bothered me off and on until about week 3-4. Just have someone give you a neck massage the next time it acts up and see if that helps you!

AND thanks Audreym but I'm not a health pro yet...still a nursing student! Hope to have my BSN and be an RN in May 09. My husband is an RN w/25 years experience so I use him for info when I'm not sure about something! :)

Good luck; that shoulder pain hurt like the dickens until I hit on the idea of having my husband rub it to relax the cramped muscle. I was amazed at how quickly and how well that worked for me. Hope it works for you guys, too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Now that we have been talikg about it - my shoulder pain has been getitng worse after I eat (protein shakes & Jello of course). I have been using the heating pad and walking. The pain is so immense while walking that I can only walk for 5-8 minutes. Then it seems to get better but how am I going to deal with it at work? I go back tomorrow! I'm going to try the Icy Hot patch next.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you try rubbing it? It makes sense that it hurts when you eat (stretches stomach and impacts the diaphragm) or when you exercise (deeper and/or faster breathing of course involves your diaphragm)

Icy/hot Patches probably won't work, especially since the heating pad didn't. Seriously just try rubbing it to release the muscle cramp.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you try rubbing it? It makes sense that it hurts when you eat (stretches stomach and impacts the diaphragm) or when you exercise (deeper and/or faster breathing of course involves your diaphragm)

Icy/hot Patches probably won't work, especially since the heating pad didn't. Seriously just try rubbing it to release the muscle cramp.

I will definitely take your advice - I don't have a husband to massage my neck & shoulder so I guess my own hands will have to do for now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had it for the first six weeks or so. It was very painful and sharp, kind of like a horse kicked me between the shoulder and neck on the left. The only ultimate cure was time . . . it does go away and I only get the occasional slight twinge now if I eat too much.

My doctor also said and irritated nerve from the diaphragm, and I also had a hiatal hernia repaired at surgery. It seems like the majority of us with significant left shoulder pain had a hernia repair.

Gas-X never helped it, because gas wasn't the problem. Tylenol never helped me either. The only thing that really helped me at all was massage, and taking a hot soak in the bathtub laying with my neck and shoulders in the Water (with my belly/incisions exposed to the air since you should never submerge them soon after surgery).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had it for the first six weeks or so. It was very painful and sharp, kind of like a horse kicked me between the shoulder and neck on the left. The only ultimate cure was time . . . it does go away and I only get the occasional slight twinge now if I eat too much.

My doctor also said and irritated nerve from the diaphragm, and I also had a hiatal hernia repaired at surgery. It seems like the majority of us with significant left shoulder pain had a hernia repair.

Gas-X never helped it, because gas wasn't the problem. Tylenol never helped me either. The only thing that really helped me at all was massage, and taking a hot soak in the bathtub laying with my neck and shoulders in the Water (with my belly/incisions exposed to the air since you should never submerge them soon after surgery).

At work today everyone could tell I was in pain - the funny thing was my stomach was fine!! It was that damn neck pain. I don't know if I can survive it for 6 weeks like HeatherO did and Heather, I follow your advice religiously throughout the posts since I saw how successful you have been.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I get it now and again, nowhere near as bad as some of you though, I admit. But when I do, if I sit on my left hip with my legs curled to the right, it seems to relax my diaphram on that side and the shoulder pain goes away while I am sitting that way. I sit that way to read and such, even with my laptop now. It really helps!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I get it now and again, nowhere near as bad as some of you though, I admit. But when I do, if I sit on my left hip with my legs curled to the right, it seems to relax my diaphram on that side and the shoulder pain goes away while I am sitting that way. I sit that way to read and such, even with my laptop now. It really helps!

Oh, I thought of you this morning Gentlywind when you had mentioned in an other post about the diarrea (sp?) - I'm on day 8 since surgery and this morning - BAM! I'm wondering if it's because I started mushies. I was afraid to eat anything while I was at work. When I'm home, I will try to lie down with the shoulder pain but when at work.........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×