Question:
Urgent Question reguarding pain. Please help!

HI! 1st time poster here! Have an URGENT QUESTION. I have been having pain under the bottom of my ribs on my left side for several days. I am unsure if this is just muscle pain from the surgery or if it is in the area of my spleen?? I had Lap Semi-Distal RNY w/gallbladder removal on 2/22/01. I get some relief when sitting up but laying and standing are out. I have to double over in order not to hurt. Any help would be wonderful!!! My email is [email protected] if you want to email Thanks!    — Stephanie E. (posted on March 7, 2001)

March 7, 2001
Hi, I to had the same bad pain still do sometimes.... My dr had to rule out things took one whole day,, mine was a massive hernia, but he started with an ultrasound to see if i had any fluid build up then said he would have checked my spleen if id had one then he checked for hernias... Either way get it checked out soon it could just be scar tissue build up but you wont know til its checked
   — BBD

March 7, 2001
I dont know what the pain is but its very very important that you go in to see your doctor or a doctor immediately. About 3 weeks ago a close friend who also had WLS about 5 days after surgery developed what she thought was gas (it sounds similar to your pain) thankfully she went to the ER after 2 days because she was running a fever - turns out she had a fluid buildup in her lungs which was a very rare complication the surgeon had not seen before- she was hospitalized for another week and half. This doesnt mean that's your complication - hopefully its just gas - but please dont downplay it - go to get medical care. Wishing you the best.
   — Anna B.

March 7, 2001
I had pain which sounds very similar, but mine was on the right side. Others suggested it might be from having to maneuver your organs during surgery. In any case, it was very uncomfortable but it went away after a couple weeks. I used a heating pad, but because I had a sensitive area over an old gall bladder surgery scar and have little sensation there, I gave myself a second degree burn! I agree that it is something you should discuss with your doctor.
   — Katie F.

March 7, 2001
your new pouch is located just below your left breast. I'd call my surgeon immediately and report such intense pain.
   — Cindy H.

March 7, 2001
Stephanie, the pain you desribe (hurts while standing or laying down; subsides somewhat when leaning forward) also describes "Pleurisy", which is a painful inflammation of a lung. Please go get a professional opinion. Good luck to you. Kevin
   — meilankev