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Upper abdominal and shoulder pain after laparoscopic surgery is related to diaphragmatic irritation caused by retained carbon dioxide, which then causes referred pain to the shoulder via the phrenic nerve. this is the pain you feel post operatively..........for days to weeks afterwards.

This is also a PAIN you  can feel  when eating too much,that some like to refer to as a "soft stop" It's NOT wise to continue eating when you feel this pain, or eating to the point of onset of this pain.

Lap Band patients feel this PAIN  YEARS AFTER BEING BANDED for numerous reasons some of which are due to  #1 IMPROPER BAND PLACEMENT, #2 AFTER VOMITING, #3 SCAR TISSUE UNDER THE BAND, #4 BAND SLIP.Just to name a few.

REASON: your irritating the Diaphragm, it doesn't feel pain it refers it to the Left shoulder.(see above statement)

My Pain felt like someone had stabbed me in my Left shoulder, then it was a burning sensation,  This NEVER went away I was always in some type of discomfort,and eventually lead to a Limited range of motion where I was unable to lift my arm (up, sideways or behind my back) without pain, 

 FYI: Nerve damage from this type of irritation doesn't resolve immediately, yes the stabbing pain is gone but My limited range of motion IS STILL PRESENT. I've been told (neurologist) nerve tissue regenerates at 1mm per month. This started Oct 2012 after my LB slipped, I suffered until removal in April 2013. I'm THRILLED my band is gone, and hope that my range of motion is 100% soon. I wrote this in hopes of helping someone else.

 

 

l was banded 4-23-2009

 

I had had some "life issues" since having my Band in 2009; I lost 60lbs then regained my weight. I decided to restart my Journey.  

1st FILL April 2012 average weight loss of 10-12 lbs. per month.

 Biggest difficulty is dealing with the M.D. and office staff that did my LB.

They are NO help in giving suggestions to numerous problems that I've had no matter how slight they are... I've had difficulty swallowing pills, they advise, CRUSH them and try to add them to a drink YUCK!  

 Asked about Vitamins, (felt I needed to take something)   was told all they have FOR SALE in the office is PILLS or a fruit and veg's supplement that you add to water and tastes NASTY. I take children’s chewable no sugar.

After getting to 8cc’s I’m having Constant Heartburn, I called and was told to go to the ER

The Surgeon is constantly out of the office. When I got to 9cc and AGAIN heartburn drinking nothing but water, I called and told again he’s not in, I waited for an entire month, eating less than 500 cals. For a month, I ended up with Burning, numb tongue with everything tasting Metallic, and a confirmed Vitamin D deficiency. When I finally got in I was told I wasn't eating properly and that I needed to be a size 6, The M.D. even showed me a Picture of his "MODEL" Patient and said I need to be more like her, Since my surgery was done in 2009 EXCUSE ME!!!!!  Have you even READ my chart?

 I have never gotten any information before my surgery because I was processed within 2 months before surgery because a personal friend suggested this surgeon.( The necessary paperwork all magically appeared) Insurance approved.

 I wish when I had begun this journey someone would have given me a list of all the "things that "MIGHT" happen with a Lap Band"

Yes you might lose weight but in turn you won't be able to swallow pills or you have to Crush them first (yeah right), or you will at times STARVE yourself, not by choice but because it's too difficult to eat, and even though you’re going to lose  weight you MIGHT have vitamin deficiency issues, and you MIGHT feel like something is stuck in your chest all the time or a majority of the time, and you MIGHT get to the point that you don't feel like eating even though you know you have to, and you MIGHT end up with shoulder pain that feels like someone is stabbing a knife into your shoulder, and that if you end up having heartburn(certainly not from eating) the doctor will write an RX  that you can't swallow. *SIGH* Also now you MIGHT have to spend more money to remedy all the things that ARE happening to you BUT no one believes your experiencing.  And now you MIGHT need to have another surgery to remove the band and either do a different WLS Surgery or NOT

2-13-13 Orthopedic surgeon , X-ray, injection, NO rotator cuff tear, no resolution of pain.

 3-8-2013

I’ve seen the surgeon and he says:  We will take out 5cc out of your band ( I have 9cc currently) and  none of my other patients have had Left shoulder pain, and I don’t think it’s the band. We need a shoulder X-ray (results from that negative) now you need an Endoscopy (he says no slip, no erosion the band is FINE) now you need an MRI.

Since the Flush and Un-fill I still have Left shoulder pain and my right hand is Constantly Numb from my wrist up to my pinkie and ring finger. So I’m seeing my hand surgeon that has done previous carpal tunnel surgery in 2000.

4-4-13 I tripped and fell, falling on my shoulder and I sprained my pinkie finger on my left hand *SIGH*

 4-8-13

 I started to experience severe ( take your breath away (pain) in the lower left pelvic region, which continued the next day , pain and spasms and twinges that ran up under my left breast , and those “bee sting” type pains that I have been told are from the band tubing in the right side of my abdomen . Right now the left pelvic region is just SORE.

Since this started on Friday and I didn’t have access to my B.P. cuff I started taking my B.P on Sunday and it’s been HIGH all day, headache at 4:30 am 163/89 and 168/101 just prior to seeing the Internist.

4-8-13 Internist says: CBC test is fine, double B.P. meds and go for a CT scan with contrast.4-11-13

CT Scan says: I have Diverticulitis.

 Hand surgeon to diagnosis my numbness 4-10-13

Diagnosis of ulnar Nerve Neuropathy.

But all I continue to hear is everything is FINE. I truly hate that word, I'm NOT FINE.

Told again today I need to wait until 4-20-13 to see the LB doc, as usual he’s not in.

My LB doctor sent me to a neuro Surgeon, hoping that he could get an MRI covered, NOPE he was beyond rude, tested my reflexes, had me move my neck said YOUR NECK IS FINE, I said YES I know tell that to my LB Doctor please. HE is why I'm here. when attempting to ask questions about the referred shoulder pain he said"I DON'T DEAL WITH LAP BANDS!!! and left the room.

4-22-13 Called LB office to tell them Neuro said NO MRI, and when can I schedule band removal? Told that I could have it removed, 4-25-13.

Explained that since I have a Latex allergy I might need to be first patient in the OR/ Doc's office said they will call hospital and call me.

4-23-13 Called LB office today they told me I need to be on a 2 week pre-op diet and lose 5 lbs and then he will see me to schedule band removal.

4-24-13 Called LB office to schedule appointment, put on hold for 22 minutes ( This office and staff are beyond RUDE), appt made for, 5-10-13

4-25-13 Called office today to prove that they were avoiding me intentionally (caller ID), immediately put on hold. Was told that I have an appt. scheduled for 5-2-13 for band removal , to which I replied SARCASTICALLY: I'm glad someone told me this.

4-30-13 While at hospital for Pre-op EKG, LB office calls me to tell me not to eat or drink anything that they will be doing my surgery today after 5pm.

Prior to band removal I was told again for at least the 8th time I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOUR LEFT SHOULDER PAIN IS FROM YOUR BAND.

Since the band removal, 5 days post op I'm feeling much better and YES THE L/SHOULDER PAIN IS Gone.

My point in continuing to keep track of my Journey is that no matter what I researched and showed to my Doctor I was told every thing was fine.

WE live in the body that God has given us, medical professional DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING, trust your instincts, Don't give up.

Others will have you believe that the things you experience with the band isn't related,

But whether it's DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY IT'S RELATED, it's all connected.

 

 

6 Months ago I started to experience Left shoulder pain, Stabbing, Burning Pain that limits the usage and mobility of my shoulder and arm. Initially I sought the experience of  my internist, he felt it might be a rotator cuff issue.I saw the Orthopedic Surgeon, 5 X-rays and an injection later No relief and it's not a rotator cuff issue. I chose to see my Chiropractor, because I  have always felt better after an adjustment.She also mentioned a rotator cuff problem, but continued to treat me in hopes that it might help, It Didn't.

I joined OH 04/09 When I was banded, I like others thought GREAT!! I'm on my way, I'll lose weight I'll be healthier, all the positives that go along with WL. So off to live my life like so many others with the band. No need to visit OH.

STILL THIS NAGGING PAIN...

Imagine my surprise when I Googled Left shoulder pain and it brought me back to OH. I continued to read posts that others had written about their experiences concerning left shoulder pain and the Diaphragm and the phrenic nerve. I went to the Allergan site and YES there it states Left Shoulder pain is connected to the LB. Then as I continued my research I came across others suffering an array of ailments. 

Well I finally had the information that I needed to speak with my surgeon because I found out what the problem must be. Much to my surprise I was told it's not your Band, no one in my practice has experienced this.  Really? because I have all this information. So to appease me, he sent me to have a spinal X-ray and an Endoscopy. No need for a Shoulder or chest X-ray those have already been done. ALL X-rays are FINE, Endo says the band is FINE, Surgeon says if we remove some fluid the pain will be gone. un fill 4cc is pain gone NO! I'm not FINE.

So here I sit, still unable to raise my arm, or burning pain will ensue. Yet now the surgeon wants and MRI. My logical question is this... WHY?  If I were uninsured, I'd bear the costly burden of all these tests. Thankfully I am insured but will still have to pay, not just in monetary but physical discomfort as well. 

If anyone suffers Daily physical pain then you too can relate to the emotional toll  said pain causes. I'm not here for sympathy, I'm her to share,educate and learn. 

I choose to post topics related to the LB because I believe that If ONE person learns from a post then my research is not in vain, I believe that we ALL wanted to be successful in our WL struggles, that is why we chose the LB. Those that are fortunate enough to have found that success I really AM happy and Glad that your journey is successful. 

This is NOT about bashing the Band, it's about band education. Yes, I've been told that your surgeon told you all you need to know, That's GREAT!!, mine didn't and that is my fault , no one else's.

So Doubt if you will, call me CRAZY, it wont be the first time, nor the last I'm afraid, I have Broad shoulder's it's O.K. because I'll continue what I'm doing it's who I am.

Well I seem to be getting SOME relief from this Left shoulder pain, The stabbing has gone but I'm still sore and achy. I'm not jumping for JOY yet because I still have to figure out what the next step is because I have a 14 cc band and I got to 8cc's when this problem started. 

Most people say well "BUT you've lost this much weight you should be happy"  My favorite line is : I'm Happy ,NOT HAPPY

 big difference and yet I have to wait until it's completely gone and pray that I can continue with just 7-8 cc's in my band. 

 

I should just make a "standing appointment" with my Internist I'm laughing because otherwise I'll just again..

I went yet again to the Surgeon armed with all the Literature that I had copied from Allergan, Nic's experience,  other posting from online and Information from beyond the Band.com

Shoulder Pain After LAP-BAND Surgery

Wednesday, 02 March 2011 15:24 Nerve pain in the shoulder is not an uncommon reaction after Lap-Band surgery. Although the actual site of the surgery is nowhere near your shoulder, pain can sometimes travel up to this area via a nerve known as the phrenic nerve

he reads the info i give him says oh it's great when my Patients do research and I'm not saying it's not your band, and if you want me to take it out I will BUT I don't believe it's your band.THEN........

He reads the reports from X-rays from shoulder, spine and chest. His interpretation of the Spine X-rays is that .the radiologist that read them states something is going on,on the left NOOOO what he said is: left-sided narrowing maybe related to artifact from patient positioning(well maybe because I can't raise my arm straight up) OH NO, he says that's not it, it's on the left side, your problem is on the left,You need to have an MRI that will show soft tissue(nope report says; prevertebral soft tissues are not thickened.

The Internist (after seeing him 2X in the past week Explains the report to me(Yes Dr. I know I've HAD anatomy & Physiology and Says IF THE RADIOLOGIST HAD ANY DOUBTS ABOUT WHAT HE READ he would have written it on the report.) AMEN!

Internist says well I want to let you know B/C B/C probably isn't going to pay for this 95% of the time they deny MRI's. I said please try to get it approved because IF they say NO I'm going to shove the rejection in my Surgeon's face.

Internist says: PLEASE keep me posted tho, I laugh and said your kidding Right? I have a Standing appointment now On Friday's and I think I'm going to bring you coffee and bagels every morning  

SO when the Denial from the Insurance comes through The only reason I'll be going back to the office is to pick up My records and stick a copy of the Denial in his face.   Because I also waited in his office AGAIN, appointment was for 9:30 he shows up with 8 other people waiting since 8:30.

Notice my posting is in Black and Blue since that is how I feel lately 

 

I called another office today, I asked that person that answered the phone if the doctor does lap Band, Sleeve etc.. I then proceeded to ask if they have any patients that  have reported Left Shoulder pain? NOT the type you get immediately post Op and  she responded with YES! That is something that can happen with the lap Band(say it ain't so ) I apologized for laughing but then said Well your just the person answering the phone and YOU know about this, my surgeon claims "no one in his practice has experienced this asn I didn't feel like seeing a shitload of other doctors that have never heard of this problem for a second opinion. She proceeded to tell me "Well we Pride ourselves on Educating our patients about all the possible complications So I explained that I'd love to see the Surgeon for a second opinion.

Ah....yes and the call to Allergan went like this: I would like to know if you've had reports of Pain in the Left shoulder from patient's, Physicians' etc..and he tell me YES and can he get some information to file a report about the problems I'm having and contact my Doctor to which I said HELL YES!!!  He  apologizes for the Pain I'm having then tells me he can't do anything but did I want to talk to someone in the medical department, Sure why not ...lol She  says YES, you can have shoulder pain and proceeds though the same SPEIL ...BLAH BLAH BLAH . maybe you need a second opinion .... DUH YA THINK?.by now I'm FUMING so I said yeah thanks for your help and hung up on her, she called me back, apologized that we got cut off  I said I'm getting a second opinion good bye.

I'm not stupid I'm not expecting anything to come of it but I figure it can't Hurt to report it, I'm still hoping ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL GET A CLUE!! 

AND YES I STILL BELIEVE IN THE TOOTH FAIRY 

 

ENG done Mild gastritis, which I had Prior to lap band, No erosion, no slip..So I say to My Doc, AGAIN  DO They even listen when we talk??

I've HAD:

#1)shoulder 5  X-rays, Steroid injection no shoulder problems, steroid did NOTHING!

#2) Internist said he doesn't think this is related to my spine but was extremely curious about the phrenic connection and my bouts of sneezing& hiccuping ( So I have him researching, and he wants me to keep him updated, More than I can say for my Surgeon)

so I have CT of spine NOTHING!

#3) ENG you found NOTHING!

#4( Did a Biopsy didn't tell me why?

I say: The reports from Allergan say Shoulder pain IS possible, and what about Diaphragmatic irritation, referred pain into the shoulder and Phrenic nerve involvement?

He proceeds to go into a Diatribe about HOW He experienced pain in his shoulder (he has the LB) and that it didn't last long and that it will go away.  WTF?? You just told me 3 days ago that YOU (the doctor) have NEVER had anyone in your practice that has had this problem.

I ask well WHY do I have it now almost 4yrs post op? ummmm DUH well I don't know. Well Doc I will see you on Friday as planned in the office and were going to have a LONG TALK!!

I'm tired of Pain, I'm tired of 1 min you don't know anything and the next min. you've experienced that same thing?BULLSHIT

I'm tired of being a LAP BAND Guinea pig, Tired  of hearing Oh, your 1 in 100, tired of feeling like I'm the Crazy one 

GUESS WHAT YOU HAVEN'T BEGUN TO SEE CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT I HAVE EDUCATED ALOT OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ( Orthopedic, X-ray Tech, Internist, Gyno, Chiro) AND WILLCONTINUE!!!!  to so that IF ever they see anyone that has had a LB they will then say"

Oh yeah I remember what that one crazy patient with the LB said about shoulder pain..

Crazy Lady Update on FRIDAY !! Stay tuned

 

 

 

 

I was banded 4/2009 lost 70 lbs went through allot of emotional stress and then gained it all back and then some ( in about 1.5 yrs time)

I got my shit together and re-started on 4/2012 I've since lost 80 lbs BUT have suffered with Left shoulder pain for appox. the past 6 months.   NEVER realizing that this might be connected to my band. ( diaphragmatic nerve pain referred) to the Left shoulder.

I realized that after a Severe bout of FOOD Poisoning ( Oct) the shoulder pain started.   I also started to have Heartburn issues,sometimes when drinking only water. 

So Today I go for an 8:30 am appointment but he doesn't show up until 9:30 ( OK I'm pissed because I know he's been out of the office for 2 weeks and this is the first day back So WHY are you late?)

 I explain to the Surgeon I have Stabbing pain and Burning in my shoulder when it's not stabbing pain I try to get him to see the connection to the band and shoulder since it started AFTER the food poisoning but he says: well I haven't had anyone with shoulder pain.. OK so this tells me you don't READ the literature!! AND because I'm what?1 out of 100 it can't be from the band?

I said my Internist and Chiropractor say it sounded like a torn rotator cuff so I went to the orthopedic doctor 5 X-rays, a steroid injection, Orthopod says: NOPE it must be inflammation.  The injection was useless, no improvement.

He wants to then know what I ate to get food poisoning,(salad) he says well when you go out to eat you need to tell them to WASH their lettuce again! even if they say they washed it already .REALLY?????????? (Nothing like treating your patient like an IDIOT)

 PRIOR to this on 02/8/2012 I was filled and as usual one can expect to be eating less and then gradually eat more as the month progresses after a fill.... WRONG!! since my last fill  I was limited as to what I could eat , I'd experience a very FULL feeling almost immediately so my caloric intake was maybe 500 calories a day. He wants to know WHY I'm counting calories.ummm I'm NOT I was just a little concerned since I was STARVING MYSELF especially since I've already been told my Vitamin -D levels are low and now I have a nasty metallic taste in my mouth and everything I do taste is salty (more signs of Vitamin deficiencies)

he says: well I've never had anyone with shoulder pain from the band so we need to make sure it's not your spine.  He said ok we will take some fluid out of the band, and you need to have a spine X-ray, shoulder X-ray and ENG

  UM ...HELLO I just told you I've had shoulder X-rays 

He says: I'll be back,  SERIOUSLY??? I just waited an hour for you WTF!!! He  goes and attends to 2 other patients...so I'm beyond LIVID and start to cry because I KNOW IT'S MY BAND AND I'm TIRED OF THIS PAIN

Then he wants to know why I'm crying and I say because I know it's my band and he's says FINE If we remove Fluid it will make the pain go away right? I said well I would hope so!! Hello your the Doctor right?

He takes out 4cc and  wants to know can I drink big gulps of water, and is the pain gone? Yes I can drink and NO the pain is still there,

So off I go to have a Spine X-ray, and ENG and back to see him 03/15/2013.. Next Visit I'm taking ANOTHER copy of the literature that  tells him about the LB and shoulder pain connection just incase he didn't bother reading the copy I already gave him

 

I come here to vent and hopefully help others? it's been since 02/8/2013 since I saw my Surgeon for a fill and since I had no idea the shoulder pain was connected to my Band I haven't been able to ask him what is going on. But in the process I have learned I am Vitamin D deficient (blood test ) confirmed this. Now I've been having problems with heartburn after eating and when I can eat it usually feels uncomfortable and I'm not eating anything . I believe that in Oct 2012 something happened to my band a SLIP? perhaps since that is when I started to have shoulder pain and heartburn.  I've read that we are supposed to be on a Diet of 600-800 Calories and I'm seriously LUCKY to be getting in 400-500?  I called the office to ask if I could talk to the doctor but as usual I was told he was NOT in the office ( I hear this allot) I said well I just want to be able to talk to him I Don't want a fill since I can't eat to begin with and they said well just keep your appointment on 03/08/2013 because we don't have anything sooner.  I've dropped 20 lbs in 4 weeks and in the last 4 days developed a nasty metallic taste in my mouth  and can't actually TASTE anything except salt at times,which I believe to be MORE vitamin deficiencies. So I'm hoping that tomorrow being my appointment I'll get some answers BUT again I'm doubtful since it's all about the MONEY and not what is best for the patient when a Lap band is concerned.. and I don't DOUBT he will send me for some Fucking tests, because again of all the complications that CAN and DO occur with a  Lap Band nothing ever seems to be conclusive when they do the tests they always seem to say EVERY THING IS FINE and most LB problems are found when they do exploratory surgery 

WOW! it's been a pleasure and a pain, it's been easy but HARD.. I guess what I'm trying to say is that IF I knew NOW what I should have known THEN ...

I don't consider myself and un-educated person in fact just the opposite, I guess it's taken me a number of years that No one but YOU will take care of YOU better than YOU!  I read allot of posts that tell us things about WHY were having difficulties with our Bands but WHY can't they just give you a LIST of things that "MIGHT" happen before you decide to have the lap Band? 

OH YEAH then they can't make money , the ROOT of all evil ...

Seriously though I wish when I had began this journey someone would have given me a list of all the "things that "MIGHT" happen with a Lap Band" and said instead that other options are available ..BUT oh RIGHT your doctor doesn't do those and he wants your money to do the lap Band.

Yes you might lose weight but in turn you won't be able to swallow pills or you have to Crush them first (yeah right), or you will at times STARVE yourself, not by choice but because it's to difficult to eat, and even though your going to lose  weight you MIGHT have vitamin deficiency issues, and you MIGHT feel like something is stuck in your chest all the time or a majority of the time, and you MIGHT get to the point that you don't feel like eating even though you know you have to, and you MIGHT end up with shoulder pain that feels like someone is stabbing a knife into your shoulder, and that if you end up having heartburn(certainly not from eating) the doctor will write an RX  that you can't swallow. *SIGH* oh yes and you WILL have to spend more money to remedy all the things that "MIGHT" happen like seeing an doctor to explain WHY i have this shoulder pain (nope not a rotator cuff tear) let's do an injection for the inflammation(didn't work) Wishing now I would have seen the post about diaphragmatic damage due to lap band before all that Of course how was I to know it was even remotely related (now I do )

OH YES, and now you MIGHT need to have a another surgery to remove the band and either do a different WLS Surgery or not. (just a little hesitant here) I'm just TIRED