I just had my lap band put in on Nov. 25 relatively easy right? Ok I was told I would have shoulder pain for "a couple of days" 5 days out I'm still on pain meds for my shoulder it is agonizing. No biggie, it should pass. but now I'm a little ticked because I've been researching shoulder pain and Laproscopic surgery- turns out new research shows that they can AVOID it yes AVOID it by removing the CO 2, or heating and humidifying the CO 2. How hard would that have been to save my 5 (and counting) days of agony? ( apparently this causes cellular damage so I just hope it goes away)

My suggestion: every patient considering laproscopic surgery should request their Dr. do something to avoid this problem ( either remove or heat and humidify the CO 2) and maybe it will become a standard and become easier for all future lap band patients.

My surgeon removes as much gas as he can. Walking a lot and Gas-X can help with what's left. They did tell you to walk a lot, right? It's good for avoiding blood clots as well so it's really important to do.

Yes thanks I am walikig a lot, taking gas ex, tums. milk of mag and ultram just to sleep. Thats wonderful that your surgeon removes as much as possible that has to help.

It must have helped. I didn't have any gas issues at all. Er, not to rub it in or anything. :thumbup:

When I had my gallbladder surgery in April of 2007 I too suffered the same shoulder pain. Fortunately, mine only lasted the day of surgery and then I was fine. I explained this to my surgeon at my consult appointment so maybe she will take that into consideration when she does my LapBand surgery.

Thanks! I've added this to my list of questions for my consult with the surgeon in a few weeks!

Everyone with my doctor doesn't have any pain in the shoulder if they do it is only for one day. My doctor does uses heating and humidifying the CO 2.