Question:
What is this post op shoulder pain everyone talks about?
I has WLS over a year ago and I do not recall reading anything about post op shoulder pain. It wasn't until several months after that I saw something about it. I did have some terrible pain in my shoulder after surgery, but it was gone before I went home. I read a couple references to this pain and dismissed it as it did not pertain to me. Three months ago I had another surgery to remove an ulcer in my small intestine just outside my pouch. During this surgery my vegas nerve was cut and staples were re-fired to close a small hole the gastroenterologist created out of his own morbid curiousity. Anyhow, that same shoulder pain was there when I came out of surgery. However, this time it has not gone away. It is not constant, and it flares up suddenly and intensly and subsides just as quickly. I would not relate this to WLS except that it only flares up when I have severe gas or when I 'have to go'. I know I should ask my surgeon, and plan to on my next visit. I was just wondering if anyone here has had similar experiences or know what this is. Thanks. — RebeccaP (posted on December 29, 2002)
December 29, 2002
With LAP the shoulder pain is often from the inflating gas. This usually
disapets in a few days and is helped by walking. Sorry I dont have a answer
for you.
— bob-haller
December 29, 2002
What do you mean by
"the gastroenterologis created out of his own mobid curiousity?"
— barbara A.
December 29, 2002
What do you mean by
"the gastroenterologis created out of his own mobid curiousity?"
— barbara A.
December 29, 2002
I'm wondering about the morbid curiosity thing too. I had shoulder pain a
week after my open RNY. The pain intensified over a few days and shot into
my left side. I had a leak. I don't think at this late date you'd have to
worry about that....but that comment about the gastroenterologist has me
concerned. I'd talk to your original surgeon asap. Hopefully it's just
trapped gas after your last surgery. Take care. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01
-145lbs
— KimBo36
December 29, 2002
I had issues with an ulcer, the last endosopy I had, the gastroenterologist
poked a hole in my staple line because he wanted to see what was on the
other side. I did not find out about it till a week later when I went to
see my surgeon. Needless to say, we were both a bit ticked off. I had lap
galbladder removal and the pain is very different. It feels more like a
pulled muscle. But goes away immediately when whatever 'intestinal
distress':) is gone.
— RebeccaP
December 29, 2002
I had SEVERE but intermittent shoulder pain after my most recent emergency
surgery (to remove a strangulated hernia). It was open this time (first
time a lap DS). I did experience some shoulder discomfort after my first
surgery and was told it was 'trapped gas' from the lap surgery. This was
more severe pain. I was at a totally 'average' weight in my most recent
surgery. The surgeon said I have an extremely curved back and the pain was
most likely caused by my positioning on the OR table. Ouch! It finally
went away by the time I was discharged from the hospital (at 7 days
post-op). Thank God for that! My upper arms were still quite sensitive
for awhile after that but I didn't have the shooting pain. They suggested
I may have a pulled rotator cuff or something... All the best, Teresa
(preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45 - 5'10" - now: 138 lbs/bmi 20)
— Teresa N.
December 30, 2002
I just had open RNY last Thursday, and I noticed a few times in the middle
of the night my shoulder would tingle up, then I woke up with some severe
shoulder/arm pain. I told the doctor, and she said that when you are in
pain elsewhere, it can revert to your shoulder...overdue for some pain
meds...I don't know if this would be the same for someone a year post-op.
— thekatinthehat
February 13, 2003
I had a shoulder pain, in my right shoulder after my lap RNY, I did not get
it until about the third week post op. I was told it was due to the g-tube.
My g-tube stayed in for 4 weeks and I was told that the little balloon on
the other side of that g-tube could rub against the diaphram and that
causes the pain in the shoulder. Hope this helps
— Lori M.
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