Question:
3 Weeks Post Op Pain between breasts, radiating to back on left side.. is this normal?

Hi! I'm just about 3 weeks post-op. I've noticed that when I eat, I get this terrible shooting pain between my breasts that radiates towards my back on the left side. It takes my breath away, comes and goes, and can last as long as an hour. I've only vomited once, and the pain eventually passes. I feel like if I could just "burp" real good, I'd feel better, but I just wind up getting the hiccups! I'm sure I'm eating too fast or too big of bites. It happens with food that's not soft, that has more consistency to it. Has anyone had this experience? What did you do to make it go away? Did it do any damage to anything?? Thanks for any input!    — Deena C. (posted on March 9, 2003)

March 9, 2003
You're probably right - eating too fast or not chewing well enough can cause this. Try cutting your food smaller before it hits your mouth (the size of a pencils' eraser) and see if this helps. I'm 8 months out and still get this on rare occassions when I get in a hurry - or over-eat. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 9, 2003
Of course, the first thing to do is call your surgeon. But, when I get this, it tells me my surgery is working. It means to me that something is stuck because, as you mentioned, I didn't chew or ate too fast. When I eat too fast an air bubble causes the same pain as not chewing. I am 16 months post op and if I eat meat too dry, the same thing happens, especially chicken.
   — faybay