I don't know if this is band related or not. I am 5 weeks post op and a couple of days ago my left shoulder has been killing me. I have not pulled any muscles or anything. It just started out of no where.

The pain is from my collar bone to my shoulder. It hurts sometimes when I am breathing and swallowing.

I have my 5 week appointment tomorrow, and I am just wondering if this is something that I mention to the surgeon, or if it is in no way related.

I've even used a heating pad and no help.

Thanks everyone!

I would mention it to the surgeon, just in case. Also, my surgeon told me that although it's not the norm, sometimes it can take a couple of months to completely absorb the gas from surgery. Hope you feel better soon!

My doctor told me that the shoulder pain is referred from your diaphram being irritated. I just was band on the 12th and my shoulder is terrible. Everyone except him says it is gas but he told me differently and I notice when I drink cold things it is worse.

I also had referred shoulder pain from the diaphragm which was a sharp pain and just awful. It did not really diminish until about 6 weeks out.

The odd thing in your case is for you to experience it 5 weeks out but not before. Definitely bring it up with your surgeon.

I had that pain for like 8 weeks.. it's gas pain and really all you can do it walk walk walk.. excericzing is the best way to get it moving.. good luck!

Yes, it is likely band related. It can be leftover from the surgery, or it can be from gas building up near your diaphragm. It's called referred pain, you can try Gas-X, but it doesn't always help. I'm 5 months out and unfortunately I still deal with this weekly. It's getting a little better now that my band is looser, (but now it makes me afraid to get a fill). I hope yours is short lived and just leftover from surgery. Good luck.

Definitely chat with your doctor about it but I have had shoulder pain for months. It's typically my sign that I have eaten too much or too fast. My doctor says that its was normal and her husband (also banded) still occasionally gets that pain years later.

Good Luck!!!

thanks everyone. I dont know why I didnt read all these before my appointment. I actually didnt mention it, because I met with the nurse and not the Dr. It didnt hurt as bad today, but if it still hurts tomorrow I think I will call.

Get a percussion massager to use on the area. One of my banded friends had a similar issue and swears that it really helped her.

I have the same problem. In my case it's not gas. It's a touchy nerve that is irritated when my stomach is empty. It translates to shoulder pain. Usually a small amount of food will make it go away.

I got my band in 2006 and I still have left shoulder pain from time to time. Did not have this before the band!

I was banded on 3/5 and just started having left shoulder pain on Wednesday. It is very uncomfortable and Tylenol seems to have little impact on it. I could have sworn it was musculoskeletal or maybe nerve injury from the OR, but it seems from the reading I have done and this and other sites that it is from gas/diaphragm irritation. Whatever it is, I really hope it goes away soon. I may have to break the rules and take Ibuprofen, bc I am getting no relief otherwise and heat only helps temporarily.

Mary

Ibuprofen is usually not recommended but if you call your Dr. he might allow advil liquid tabs which is what my Dr said I could take to supplement the Lortab for additional pain relief. (check with your Dr)

I have the same problem. In my case it's not gas. It's a touchy nerve that is irritated when my stomach is empty. It translates to shoulder pain. Usually a small amount of food will make it go away.

For me it's just the opposite, an ache in my shoulder is my first sign that I've had enough to eat. I feel it before I feel full and if I take another bite or two it gets pretty uncomfortable. It's my built in "put down the fork" monitor.

For me it's just the opposite, an ache in my shoulder is my first sign that I've had enough to eat. I feel it before I feel full and if I take another bite or two it gets pretty uncomfortable. It's my built in "put down the fork" monitor.

Mine is exactly the same as yours. It is the sign that you are overdoing it . . . and if you don't put the fork down NOW, you are going to be very uncomfortable.

Yes! I have had the pain: however, it is strictly related to how much and how fast I eat. My pain was unbearable and my doctor told me to go back to liquids and mushies, eat slowly and BAM! no pain!! It is deferred pain from your stomach irritation trying to digest square object through a round hole..... Go to small (1/3cup )mushie portions and it will go away that day. Usually I would wake up feeling great and no pain until 1 to 2 hours after eating. It is gone now. I have lost 12 pounds in 16 days