I am experiencing really bad shoulder pain. I am using Gas X, heating pad and Tylenol and very little is working. The heating pad works as long as I keep it on for at least an hour or more. I had it on for 2 hours today and got up to go get something and the pain is back and worse than ever. I am trying upper body exercises. I can't walk too much because of a knee injury (supposed to keep it elevated). My son tried to massage it, but that didn't help. Everytime I eat or drink somthing I get the shoulder pain. I have my doctor appt on Monday. Was banded on the 1/14/09. Any suggestions are greatly apprecaited.

Boy, not being able to walk is a tough one. That is the one thing that really helped with my gas and shoulder pain. I wonder if it would help if you would try touching your toes and moving around as much as you can while sitting down. Having a bum knee really makes it harder for things to get back to normal in the intestinal track. Hopefully your doctor can give you better advice. The best thing walking does is get your stomach and intestines working correctly again, that's one reason doctors push it so much (in addition to protecting against blood clots). Any movement that you can do should help.

Hope things get better for you.

Thanks for the quick reply. I have been trying to do some upper body movements. I will try toe touching. My stomach still hurts and the stitches itch something fierce. I am at work squirming from the itching. I look like I am gyrating to my own beat!

Hello,

I also have severe left shoulder pain. The pain comes and goes and is so bad that it stops me in my tracks and could bring me to my knees.( I know that sounds dramatic but it is true) I move around, use a heaing pad, moist heat, cold, you name it. I was banded on 12/19 and have had several conversations about this with my doctor. I am very upset about this pain. It seems the only thing I can do is learn some way to manage it. I feel like this is never going to go away. I'm sorry for your pain, but I am comforted in the fact that I am not the only one. Keep us posted on your progress and If anyone has any more advice on how to manage this I would also appreciate it.

Boy, not being able to walk is a tough one. That is the one thing that really helped with my gas and shoulder pain. I wonder if it would help if you would try touching your toes and moving around as much as you can while sitting down. Having a bum knee really makes it harder for things to get back to normal in the intestinal track. Hopefully your doctor can give you better advice. The best thing walking does is get your stomach and intestines working correctly again, that's one reason doctors push it so much (in addition to protecting against blood clots). Any movement that you can do should help.

Hope things get better for you.

You sound just like me. I was banded on 1/14 and had knee surgery a month ago! Walking on the treadmill isn't too bad and I just got a stationary bike which is easier on the knee. I am STILL suffering from horrible shoulder pain. I've tried heating pad, massage, drugs and anything else I can think of. Nothing works. Today is Day #10 and still suffering. No pain in abdomen, no itching, no stiches (doc used glue) and if it weren't for this awful shoulder pain I would be in great shape!

I was banded on 7/24/08 and I am still suffering from the shoulder pain. They say it's from the air they pump into your stomach during surgery. I actually started massage therapy 2 weeks ago and that seems to be helping. It's weird that some people get it while others don't. Hopefully it will go away soon. I mean how much air could they have pumped in there? I want to deflate not inflate!

Ask your dr. for Ultram. It's a non-narcotic pain medication and works great for me. Believe me, I tried everything else.

I had horrible shoulder pain about a week after surgery. Thankfully, it only lasted a few days. I read a post at the time that suggested lying facedown with your butt in the air. Like, on your knees but putting your face on the floor or bed. It really helped!!

I am sorry this happening to you. Walking is really the way to get rid of trapped gas. Gas-x really did nothing for me.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I thought I was the only one who had this reoccurring pain. I can't stand it at times. I know what you mean Renee by it bringing you to your knees. You are not being dramatic - it HURTS!!! Today is my 11th day from surgery and frankly how could there possibily be air is still air in there from the surgery. I was tootin up a storm the first couple of days. I could have filled a blimp with the air I put out! I fell on my knee two weeks ago and it is still swollen. I can't bend it at all so walking is very difficult. I am supposed to stay off of it, but I have to work so that is not possible. However I can't get the exercise I need right now and if that is what will take away the pain, I have to find some alternative. I don't want to eat because of the pain. I am eating mind you, but I dread every sip I take. Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

Me too - the shoulder pain went away after a couple days, but only stayed away for 2-3 days (I was banded 1/20). I've tried heat, cold, massage, walking, GasX, anything else? Liquid Tylenol takes it away for a little while, but it comes back and I don't want to take too much.

The only relief I get is using the heating pad for hours and using Tylenol at the same time. I went to the doctors today. They said that if it does not stop by my next visit in 2 weeks then they will send me for testing for twisting or kinks in the stomach where the band is. Two more weeks! Time will tell I guess.