Sharp Pain Left side

Has anyone had sharp pain just below the pouch area on the left side. It has persisted and is slowly getting worse. Went to the surgen - they did an ultra sound, found nothing. Just wondered if anyone recognized this symptom?

I am assuming you had RNY? If so, left side pain is normal according to my surgeon's office (I did have it too). They put a rather large instrument into you via that left side, so it's painful afterwards. My surgeon's office now does a small drain type balloon right in that area with topical pain med's attached to lessen that left side pain. We are in the hospital for about 24 or so hours, so it's not in for long. When I had my surgery (5/03) the surgeon's didn't do this topical pain med drain thing, so I had the left side pain. OUCH! It got better over the week of surgery and lingered slightly for another few days. If it doesn't get better or continues to get worse, keep calling, something else could be wrong. Good luck Melissa in Texas

I had the same pain post surgery....started at 1 week. I called my surgeons office and they said that it is a common post surgical complaint. I developed a high fever and also pain in my left shoulder and they did a CT scan with contrast and found that I had a softball size abcess and had to have emergency surgery. I then developed another abcess that was even larger that ended up rupturing my new stomach pouch. So, be sure to really push for the surgeon to figure out where the pain is coming from. Not trying to scare you....but it is good to be proactive! Dawn

Hmm - I wonder if the abcess thing is what is going on as I am almost 8.5 months out. It is weird - like today I havnt had pain but yesterday it hurt all day, I can almost bet it will be back as this has been hit and miss for over a month or so. Thanks so much for the info

I had it too.... after surgery for a complication. The pain worried me so I got a cat scan. I found out that it was just a hematoma. It still hurt terribly.

Debbie, Did you find out anything. I am having the same pain. I had a CT Scan yesterday (don't know the results yet). The pain is always there but some day is so severe I have trouble eating. Drs nurse mentioned lots of patients complain about that pain and then they have difficulty diagnosing any cause. I sure hope there is an answer for me.

They did not find anything - the pain comes and goes. They did all the tests and nothing was uncovered. I have heard that this happens but it gives little solace when you don't know what is causing the pain. I hope they are able to give you some answers.

I had first surgery in 2002 Dr. Gaskin. Had multiple complications. Second Surgery 2002 Dr. Udobi everything was great. I do have pain on the left side but is in in the back is anyone having similar pain.

I'm a lap band patient...post op 25 months. About 8 months ago it began one evening as I went to bed. I was laying on my right side watching t.v. I had a SHARP pain hit me under my rib cage on my left. It was enough to jolt me. I moved around a little and it went away....A week or so later...it happened again. A few weeks later it was happening a couple of times a week, then more frequent. Same place and when I'de move around it would go away. It's often times woken my up from a sleep. I now get it laying down, standing up, sitting in a recliner. I had an endoscope done in May....all looked good. I mentioned the pain to the gastro doctor. He blew it off as a "probably kink" in the upper intestine and gas. As time has gone on...it's gotten worse from when it first began. On Sunday this past week I began having back pain across my mid back but mostly on MY LEFT side. BAD PAIN. At first it felt like a muscle pull. Then more persistent burning type pain along with the sharper pains in front under the rib cage. Related? I have no idea. Went to my primary yesterday.....he wants me to see a gastro. Can't get in until Nov 22 and am on a waiting list. By yesterday afternoon....I was in enough pain to cause me to cry. And I have a HIGH pain tolerance. I called pcm and he has given me a muscle relaxer AND vicoden. IF this doesn't cure the back pain he's admitting me to the hospital in a couple of days and will consult the gastro doc and request he see me immediately. It could very well be the front pain is actually gas pains since they do come and go and it could be I did actually pull muscles in my back being I started a new job recently and stand ALOT. The two may not even be related.....I have no idea. But I do know the pain on my left front HAS gotten more frequent with time. Same pain, but more often and for longer periods of time. Scar tissue? Maybe. Gas Maybe. I recognize the symptom....I just don't know what it is. If you find out anything......Please share. I'de appreciate it and I'll do the same. For now...I'm drugged up and have to stay at home. I can't believe my new job is actually not firing me. All the best Kay