2 days post op - hiccup/burp pain?

Well I am currently 2 days post op and doing pretty well. I'm still pretty sore in my abdomen, mostly where the port is but I'm already seeing improvement there.

I only have 1 issue that I'm kind of concerned about. It's these weird hiccup/burp hybrid things I keep having. I feel like I have to burp but I can't - I've tried. Instead, it feels like my chest and upper body is tensing up, kind of like it does when you hiccup. Except it's all internal. It hurts really bad, especially in my left shoulder which makes me think maybe it's just a strange side effect of the gas issues I've heard so much about? I also have the pain in my shoulder when I take a deep breath or yawn, it's just not as intense.

Has anyone else had an experience like this post op?

Yes, Nicci did.  Lemme go see if I can find her.



ETA:  While I'm finding her...it does happen.  For some people, hiccups become their warning that they have eaten enough.  The shoulder pain...left shoulder, I betcha...is because the vagus nerve is irritated and pissed off.  MOST OF THE TIME that dissipates over time. 

The burping and hiccup thing is probably related to your band placement.  When I'm full, I will hiccup/burp type of thing.  It's odd but it tells me to stop.  My nose also runs.   These are my soft stops.  Do you get these only after you've eaten or all the time, even if you haven't eaten or drank anything?  If so, you might want to call your doctor and just run it by him, if it's something that is happening a lot and outside of a meal.

The shoulder pain is most likely gas built up from surgery.

Hi LadyRaRa,

Try to walk as much as possible to dissipate the gas trapped in your abdomen.
The hiccup-burp thing is from your diaphragm being irritated by the CO2 gas used during surgery, most likely. (Also causes the left shoulder pain you're experiencing.)  That's why you feel it most when you breathe deeply or yawn... the diaphragm "flutters" and causes the Vagus nerves to go all wonky on you. Then those nerves refer the pain up into your left shoulder.

Since you're so newly post op, this pain will most likely go away, you just need to stick it out, walk, drink water, try to get the gas out, if you can. If it doesn't go away in a week or so, definitely talk to your surgeon. I had the left shoulder pain incessantly and was told that it was "just gas"... but it was actually due to a poorly placed band and diaphragmatic damage. If you do have an issue, it's important to get it taken care of early on because it can lead to permanent damage, otherwise.

Feel better soon. I hope the gas and pain go away soon.

Nicci

I am a week post-op as of yesterday.  I also do that burb hiccup thing.  I thought mine might be cause from me trying to gulp my drinks to fast. I guess that is when I notice it more. I just went for my first dr appt. and he said this was normal with the left shoulder pain.  He said it could take up to a month or more before it goes away. It is different for everyone.   I feel the shoulder pain sometimes in the night when I am asleep and it's been bad enough that I went and slept in the reclyner.

but still ask your dr when you go, better to be safe then sorry