pain in left shoulder after lap band

some of you may remember me first posting in November 2006, I was trying to have the gastric bypass, but my insurance just would not pay enough, so I finally opted for the Lap Band and I had it done on 9/12/06 I started out really good and went home on 9/13 unfortunately I am back in with severe pain in my left shoulder, they did a ct scan and found a clot in my rt lung. The doctors are doing very good thinning the clot, however they believe it may actually be an old clot which I had a dvt in August 2002. Unfortunately I don't really have an answer for my shoulder pain, today I can go about 8hrs without pain meds which when I first came in on Thursday 9/14/06 I was needing pain medicine every 4hrs. Otherwise I am doing great and I have lost 7lbs short 1day of being a complete week. Has anyone else had pain in their shoulder like I have? I hope all those who are already on the loosing side are doing great, and those working toward getting there, stay strong and keep fighting you will get there God Bless All of You and thanks for any comments you can provide regarding the pain in left shoulder Donna

What I learned is the pain in the left shoulder is the result of gas. Not sure how it works but left shoulder pain after surgery is gas pain. Hopefully someone else can give more details. Sam

omgosh,that solves that mystery for me! The things I have learned after the fact! LOL

Ain't I smart?! I'za colledge gradgeut! Sam

The pain I had in my left shoulder was the result of the gas/air used for the surgery (laproscopic procedures require gas/air to blow up the abdomen and chest cavity for viewing and surgical instruments). I used a heating pad on the back of my left shoulder blade and had my son occasionally rub/pat that area to help expell the gas. It will take about 14 days for all the gas to leave though, so be patient. Good Luck!

thank you very much for the information, so maybe another week and I will be pain free. Hope you are doing good and thank you again

oh my ..thats awful, most have gas but no doubt that is not gas....would a clot be there for that long if it were an old one? hope you get outta there soon and get on the road to being a loser

hi Sweet Tweety, I had a DVT in my right leg in August of 2002, my lap band doctor believes that when that clot thinned out that part of it traveled to my right lung but not enough to cause problems. I was told that anytime there is a clot in the legs it has to travel somewhere and most of the time to the lungs. I guess I should have had a ct scan of my chest after the blood clot in my leg but that was never done. I have now had a doppler done on my legs and they are negative for clots and that is what leads them to believe the clot in my rt lung is old and I guess the appearance looks old also, but they are treating it as if it is new and I am good with that. I just want the pain in my left shoulder to go aways because I really feel good except for my left shoulder and I have already lost 7lbs yeah!!!!! Thanks for your comment always appreciate everyones input. Take Care Donna