upper ab pain

Hi everyone,

I am almost 1 yr out and just  last night started having so much pain in the upper part of my stomach,,, under my breasts and into my shoulder,  I have had my gall bladder removed or I would think that is the problem... anyone have any ideas??  thanks.

Left shoulder?

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4510649/Informatio n-about-the-Vagus-nerve-system-for-those-who-are/

Have you been checked for a band slip? A fluoroscopy Xray can determine if your band is in correct position.

Take care,
Nicci

Hi Nicci,

Yes left shoulder

the pain is pretty bad.

Tammy, I'm sorry you're going through this. It's very common with the lapband, unfortunately. You'll want to get checked really, really soon to see if your band slipped. Don't leave it because the pain doesn't usually get better... and if it isn't treated, it can become permanent.

I had the left shoulder pain for years from the band... and I know how painful it can be. I'm truly sorry you're going through it.

Try to apply heat under your left ribcage... a ho****er bottle, heating pad, heat sticky things... sometimes it can help the pain at least to be manageable.  

No pain relievers at all helped when I had the left shoulder pain, but I have heard others say that they did get some relief.

Thank you so much for replying, I will get checked out soon.... are there other symptoms I should look for?   Thans again

The referred left shoulder pain is usually associated with Vagus nerve irritation or damage. The Vagus nerves run through the diaphragm and into the stomach. In a lot of people, the band simply being in proximity to those nerves can cause the pain to refer itself to the left shoulder.

So, your band could be in a bad position or it could be just that your body is just starting to really react to those nerves being irritated. I'd ask your doctor to check the position as soon as you can.

Are you having any trouble swallowing or keeping food down at all?