Question:
Help!! 8 months lap RNY post-op with horrible pain in brestbone area!!

I am hoping someone can give me some insight? I had lap RNY April 08 and am down 140lbs since the beginning of my journey. I have had great health so far but lately I am having horrible intermittent pain in the breastbone area of my chest. It radiates through to my back at times as well. Sometimes it hurts in the stomach area alternating between the left and right sides. I have an appointment for an upper GI next week before I see the doctor but I am curious as to what may be going on. Nothing I do seems to help or alleviate the pain! I thank you in advance for your time and appreciate any information you may be able to give me.    — tamster (posted on November 20, 2008)

November 20, 2008
Sounds like your gall bladder to me. I had mine out 2 years after my RNY. I had the same feeling. Almost like a horrible burning sensation and at first I thought it was trapped gas to the nth degree, but I had gall stones. My doctor said this was common. Of course, consult your doctor, but that's what it sounds like to me!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 20, 2008
I agree, it might be time to get your gall bladder taken out.
   — Teresa V.

November 20, 2008
I have to add to that answer. My friend is schedule to have her gallbladder out next week. She had these same sypmtoms and even more for the last two weeks. I would say it is highly likely the gallbladder and getting it out will make you good as new again.....hope these answers help.....
   — casey2008

November 20, 2008
I agree. Don't wait until next week for an upper GI. In mmy humble opinion, you need help now! I almost lost my life in China with my gall bladder attack. Long story here. The airline gave me a row of seats to recline on for the return flight home. It was agony. Simple agony. That was an exception to their rule, which I found out later. Got back. Saw the doctor. He said, "There's nothing wrong with you; but, let us run some tests." I got the tests that same day. As I was walking in the door to my home, the doctor was on the line. "It IS your gallbladder. You need immediate surgery or you will die. I've called the surgeon and we are waiting for you at the hospital." Long story here as well. But, that was in 1982 and I'm still here. But, I went into that surgical room knowing I only had a 5% chance of living. In fact, the night before, the surgeon came and sat on my bed for hours studying me and talking with me, weighing whether or not he was even going to operate because I was so far gone. It truly is with the Grace of God I am still here. So, please do not delay and let us know how you are. I'm sure your situation is not at all like mine. Why? I'd been having silent attacks for years, my gall bladder has become a big stone within my body and I didn't know I was having any issues. With your RNY in April 2008, I'm sure your surgeon did look at your gall bladder and it was most probably OK at that time. My prayers are with you. Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OH Coach and WLS Support Group Leader
   — Christine Gibson

November 20, 2008
Definitely go to the doctor. It could be your gall bladder. And if the pain doesn't go away get to the ER! Especially chest pain! vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl

November 20, 2008
I am not sure I am new to this and haven't had my surgery yet, its scheduled for Dec. 5, but I was having the same pain went to the ER they thought it was my heart, I went to a cardiologist and had the full gamut of test and they my PCP had a test done of my gallbladder and that is what it was. It was horrible pain between my breast and went through to my back...hope this helps some...Diane
   — DianeLuvsflowers

November 20, 2008
I'm in full agreement as I had the same thing at 14 months out. Gallstones...went to the ER in terrible pain and had surgery the next morning. The surgery was done lap and made a full quick recovery, so if you find that is what it is, don't be afraid. Although there are always risks under general anisthetics, this is a very common surgery. Best wishes! Rhonda
   — rjh729

November 20, 2008
I agree w/ the other pp's, it sounds like it could be your gallbladder, get checked out with the doc and keep us updated...big hugs and pt's heading your way
   — dawnie28

November 20, 2008
Ditto. Your symptoms as described are classic of gall bladder problems. Had the same several yrs before WLS and out it came. Best wishes. dana
   — jujuprof

November 20, 2008
Please insist on being seen today and if that is not possible go to an emergency room. It may very well be your gallbladder but what you describe could also be cardiac or vascular in nature. With these problems they are certainly managable but time is of the essence and you need to be evaluated by a physician. congrats on such a tremendous weight loss.
   — bethemeinmydream

November 21, 2008
Sounds like gallbladder! I just went to my dr for the same pain and I'm having mine taken out on 12/18 at the same time as I'm having the sleeve gastrcetomy. Are you vomitting? Eat ice chips, really cold water and stay away from high fat and acidic foods! Ice chips and motifiying my diet has really helped with the pain. I thought it was a major gas pain in my chest, nope, gallstones! Hope that helps!
   — char718

November 21, 2008
Get your gallbladder checked. Usually, about six months out or so you will start to get stones and if they start trying to past though your system it can be very painful and dangerous! This can be very serious. If one gets stuck, you can actually rupture your gallbladder or another area of your digestive track! Get in to your Doctor ASAP! Get a CT of the area. Good Luck hope All goes Well Mary Phenning or Mary from Britt
   — Mary P.

November 21, 2008
Yet another answer about your gall bladder. When I had some pain in the breastone area of my chest, I asked several nurses I work with and they all asked if it radiated to my back because they thought it might be my gall bladder. They also told me to talk to my doctor immediately, so don't wait. Good luck.
   — Andrea F.

November 22, 2008
I don't know if it is your gallbladder, because I have the same pain and I had my gallbladder out several years ago. I have had two Surgery's this past summer to try and fix it and it has not. When it begans to hurt it feels like someone is crushing my chest all the way through to my back and it feels like someone is squeezing my stomach, hey if your doctor figures it out I would like too Here what he thought it was, I hope you get your answer .
   — pam74

November 22, 2008
Sounds to me like your gall bladder, for sure, but see what your doctor says. I had the same, classic, (and painful!) symptoms before having mine removed. Don't wait though, like a previous poster said, it can be very dangerous if you develop complications. Best wishes with your weight loss.
   — thegoodlife

November 24, 2008
Tammy, Sorry for the late post...you may have already been to your physician, but if not, you should definitely get to see him/her. They should be able to perform, or send you to someone who can perform, an endoscopy. I had some severe pain similar to what you are describing about one year after my RNY. After having the endoscopy, they found that I had an ulcer. I then started noticing more as to when I would have the attacks and realized certain spices would cause the reaction (namely black pepper and garlic). They did tell me that there is a certain percentage of people who get these after this type of surgery...but usually within the first 6-12 months...mine was just a little over the 12 month period. Be sure and update us on what the doctor tells you...and I hope everything goes well for you!
   — BrendaMS

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