Question:
8 months post op -I have severe pain on my left side under my ribs!

I didn't think being this far out from surgery I would have problems like this but the pain is horrible! My bowel movements have been very infrequent and hard so I figured it has something to do with that I have taken stool softeners and doesn't help a bit! The pain is radiating to my back my "guts" feel like they are inflamed. It isn't constant but hurts more than not. Sometimes it is a gassy feeling but I also have a defnite sharp stabbing pain on the left side that makes me catch my breath. If I call the surgeons office I know they are going to tell me to go to the ER but if it is something that will pass I would like to avoid that if possible. Has anyone experienced this? Could it just be constipation? What should I do????    — kristen H. (posted on May 9, 2002)

May 9, 2002
Kristen, do you still have your gall bladder. If you do, it could very well be that your gall bladder is bad. But no matter what it is, you definitely need to call your surgeon ASAP and do whatever he tells you--including go to ER if need be.
   — artistmama

May 9, 2002
I have not had my surgery yet but I have read everyones profile and complications that can occur, I would not take any chances, even if they tell you it's just gas at least your mind would be at ease.Good luck
   — Lisa W.

May 9, 2002
Please contact your surgeon. It could be nothing, but it could be something. Better safe than sorry. If it turns out to be nothing then horray. If it is something, you need to get it checked out. Be on the safe side. I felt that way when my gallbladder came out. I thought sure they'll just send me home and say it is bad gas. Guess what, 6 hours in the er and lots of pain shots and I was off to la la land, getting a lap gallbladder removal. Take care of YOU!
   — Cinna G.

May 9, 2002
I thought the gall bladder was on the right side above the appendix. (?)
   — Terissa R.

May 9, 2002
My husband (also WLS) recently had a bout with such as you describe. Rubbing his left belly, no BM.......? Off to ER to check for bowel obstruction, but after we got there, he started rubbing his back, same area, but back. ???? Turned out to be a kidney stone (ok, GROUP of them) that could not pass, and it made everything so angry that it temporarily shut down the bowel as well. Hopefully, you have called the doc by now and/or checked in with ER. If it wasn't simply gas, and it sounds like you didn't think so, don't mess with it. We're only issued one small intestine, one large intestine!
   — vitalady