shoulder pain after lap band related to diaphragm?

 Hello, I have been having should pain (in my left shoulder) while eating. My doctor said it was because I was eating too fast. I feel as if I'm eating very slowly and chewing thoroughly, but still have it almost every time I eat. I had lap band surgery 6 weeks ago. Anyone else have this and know how long it lasts or if I need to slow down even more? Thanks very much!

I had my band surgery 4 weeks ago and I have the same problem.  I had terrible shoulder pain after surgery that went away after a week, but now comes back whenever I eat anything that's not liquid and sometimes when I exercise.  I posted a few days ago about the same issue and another memeber mentioned that her diaphragm had damage from the band and that was what caused her pain.  I haven't yet talked to my surgeon about my pain, but I will update with a new post after doing so....
Hang in there!  Hopefully we can get answers soon!

 Thanks aholmes. I saw your other post and read about the damage too. I certainly hope not! Does it ever heal...I wonder? I just asked my doctor when I went in for my first fill this week and he said it was due to eating too fast and the diaphragm can't do what it's supposed to do....something like that. I don't get it every time, but enough that it's bothersome. Good luck to you and keep me posted if you find out anything else! Thanks for your reply.

~ kellogal

 Hi, relax, you are completely normal!  I get left shoulder pain whenever I eat quickly or am starting to fill up.  I checked it out with my surgeon and it's very common.  I've since heard from many banders who experience the same thing.  It  comes from the vagus nerve in the abdomen.  Actually, it's a good trigger to let me know to slow down or wind up the meal.  I also used to get it much more often the first couple of months after surgery, not so much now.  Good luck on your journey!
Corinne

 Thanks very much, Corky. I appreciate your excellent advice. Sincerely, Kellogal

I had the shoulder pain the whole time I had the band. It finally became so bad that the band had to be removed. It was caused by improper placement of the band in my case. My stomach ended up twisting into a Figure 8.

Some people who have the band are just more sensitive to its presence. I have known many people who suffer from the left shoulder referred pain. It seems to vary in degrees of pain... from excruciating to a dull throb. When it got the point where I felt as if I were being repeatedly stabbed with a sharp knife and couldn't breathe, eat, poop, and I cried from morning to night, I couldn't lift my head off the bed, walk or even talk, my doctor decided that the band needed to come out right away.

I am not saying that this is what will happen to you, believe me! I was just unfortunate to have chosen a surgeon who didn't do the surgery properly. DON'T let anyone tell you that it's only because you're "eating too fast" or that it's all in your head. It isn't!   I used heat patches and heating pads at the worst of my discomfort, but it only helped a little. I went to chronic pain clinics, was prescribed morphine, fentanyl, had steroid injections... nothing helped the pain.

Make sure your doctor does a fluoroscopy Xray to make sure your band is properly placed. If your doc doesn't do it or doesn't seem to take your pain seriously, please find someone who will.

Esophageal spasms can also cause the left shoulder pain, so maybe mention that when you speak to your doc, too.

 

I hope you'll feel better soon. It could very well go away on its own. You're still healing, so there is definitely hope that once you're fully healed, it will just be an unpleasant memory for you.

Best of luck to you!

Nicci

 Hi Nicci, I will definitely keep in mind all the things you said and ask my doctor about some of those other possibilities if this pain persists. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my inquiry! Much appreciated.

Kellogal

Thanks so much for your post. I have struggled for months with severe left shoulder and neck pain. I've had MRI's and numerous test done to see if the problem could be located...NOTHING was found to be causing the pain. I will be seeing my doctor on April 19th and requesting the removal of my lap band.

Thanks again for your post.
Teresa Young 

Teresa, I'm so sorry you're experiencing the left shoulder pain. I really feel for you. I hope you'll feel much better after band removal. 

Take care,
Nicci

Nicci,

I saw my lapbad surgeon last week and he removed all the fluid from my band. I do fell better and have not had that neck and should pain going on 10 days now. I will see my doctor again in June and we'll decide what the best fix for me will be.

Last night I was awaken by pain in the port area...this was something new. I actually thought I was going to have to be taken to the hospital but once turned over onto my left side the pain started letting up.

Talk to you later,
Teresa