Question:
Shoulder Pain 2 Months Post Op

has anyone experienced pain in their left shoulder, especially after eating? I am 2 months out and heard of this shoulder pain right after surgery, but mine just started about 2 weeks ago. Sometimes it hurts when I eat but not always. It doesn't seem to matter what it is I'm eating. Sometimes I can eat something with no pain, and the next time I eat it, it hurts like crazy. Has anyone felt this? What in the world could it be? I'm never sure if pains that I have are related to the surgery or just a coincidence that I've never had them before.    — Kathy S. (posted on March 27, 2003)

March 26, 2003
HEY I HAVE THE SAME THING RIGHT NOW AND I AM 5 MONTHS POST OP. IT IS GAS. BELIEVE IT OR NOT. I HAVE TRIED EXTRA TUMS AND I HAVE HEARD TO TAKE GAS-X OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. GOOD LUCK IN BEING A LOSER. :-) CHRISTY
   — CHRISTY F.

March 27, 2003
I agree with the first poster. I had INCREDIBLE gas pain in my shoulder while still in the hospital and for many, many months post-op I would still get gas pain there occassionally. A little Gas-X should do the trick.
   — PaulaM

March 27, 2003
hi..I was having some pretty serious pain that radiated from my neck and shoulder all the way down to my tummy which is right under my left rib..I assumed I had pulled muscles throwing up coz I had been throwing up quite a bit..when I went and saw my PCP for my monthly tests and I told her about it..come to find out I had sprained my sternum and by throwing up so much I made it worse..she said it takes 6 weeks to 6 months!! to heal..cant do lifting or exercise that involves the chest area..
   — christine S.

March 27, 2003
Kathy, It could be referred pain. I had terrible pain in my right side for six weeks and under went all kinds of test for gallbladder and kidneys, etc. The last test they did was an upper GI and it turns out it was an ulcer. It never made my stomach hurt. My symptoms were similar to yours but pain was right side, shoulder blade and back. I'm just glad they figured it out. It had gone from intermittant to constant. Good Luck. ps The medicine they gave me was Carafate and it was a miracle drug and took all they pain away instantly.
   — Sandi O.

March 27, 2003
Kathy, my experience is similar to Sandi's. I had extreme pain in my left shoulder and back. I was sent to the ER and I had a perforated ulcer, so it was the gas and extra air in my body that was giving me extruciating pain. Not saying this is the exact case, but I would check it out just in case, you can never be to careful! You shouldn't have to live with the pain, b/c I know how unbearable it can be. Goodluck to you- hope you feel better!
   — Lezlie Y.

March 27, 2003
I have not had my procedure yet, but when I went to my nutrition class a few weeks ago, they said one of the things they watch for is left shoulder pain..that could mean a possible leak...you should probably get it checked out just to be safe.
   — Kerry R.

March 27, 2003
Kathy, I have the same issue. I had RNY 10/01 and only noticed it for a week or so following surgery. I had an ulcer surgically removed last september and that is when the pain started. Seeing that is has been 6 months since that surgery I would hardly consider it gas from that surgery. Mine does not hurt after eating, only when there is any kind of intestinal distress...(bad gas or oooohh gotta go!) It comes on suddenly and leaves just as quickly when it goes. It feels like a pulled muscle. Any of this sound familiar? It only happens about once a week or so and I'm really not all that freaked out by it. I figure next time i go to the doc I will ask about it. You might do the same. I read somwhere that left shoulder pain is not normal and is a sign of something wrong, so better to be safe. In my case since i am such a procrasinator....I dont think its a leak or I would have been having some serious issues in the past 6 months. I wish you the best.
   — RebeccaP