[abqann]

I have read on several posts that people get shoulder pain. What causes that and how long does  it last?

[jbo476]

it is caused by residual gases. they use gases to expand your abdomen to perform the procedure, oddly enough the gases move to the shoulder. I had shoulder pain for months!!! I never even thought about my incisions or abdomen hurting because the shoulder pain made me miserable. heat helped mine.

[SageTracey]

My surgeon said my shoulder pain was referred pain from disruption to my diaphragm during surgery. It lasted for 10 days.

[Flammingjun]

I wondered why people had shoulder pain...that sucks! Months... I guess it's good to know ahead of time.  Thanks for the heat tip.

jbo476, on August 14, 2011 - 7:16 PM, said:

it is caused by residual gases. they use gases to expand your abdomen to perform the procedure, oddly enough the gases move to the shoulder. I had shoulder pain for months!!! I never even thought about my incisions or abdomen hurting because the shoulder pain made me miserable. heat helped mine.

[Flammingjun]

SageTracey, on August 14, 2011 - 8:40 PM, said:

My surgeon said my shoulder pain was referred pain from disruption to my diaphragm during surgery. It lasted for 10 days.

Oh...that sounds a little better...

[readytolosemomof5]

My shoulder pain only lasted about 5 days. I really helps to walk as much as you can

[jbo476]

I was told walking would also help. I walked several times a day for the first few days, but was in so much pain, could only walk for about 10 min at a time. On a more positive note, my best friend had band and she had absolutely NO shoulder pain!! #jealous. Lol. Everything is different for every person. Good luck!!

[abqann]

Thanks for the replies.  The second question is does it affect you being  able to use your arm?  I work in a call center and am at a desk In the phone  and  am on a computer typing and such. I am hoping to not have to take more than a few days off, or i have to wait until the new year or December..

[jbo476]

I am a nurse and was only if for 2 days. It was painful but I till had use of my hand and arms.

[BaileyRose]

My shoulder pain didn't last but a couple days. My gas pain was more in my abdomen and chest- right under my sternum. I only notices the left shoulder pain at night if I tried to sleep on that side which was pointless because I'm two weeks out and still can't sleep on mummery side because that's where my port is and it's sensative.

Everyone is different. I feel bad for the previous poster who has shoulder pain for months... I would think that would be less common though. Good luck!

[sanction]

I had shoulder pain for a year and yes it bothered the hell out of me but its the nerve the same one that causes hunger.  Once I got a fill it went away but I still get it if I eat too much sometimes

[jennifer1]

i'm almost 3 months out and i still get shoulder pain. ugh!  sometimes i get it if i eat too much and sometimes i have no idea what causes it.  so far i havent found anything that works to make it go away(walking gas X, massage, heat.)  But everyone doesnt get it, so you may be one of the lucky ones.

[Acadia]

SageTracey is correct.  The pain comes from the nerves being pressured in the abdomen, specifically in the diaphragm.  That same nerve (very long nerve) goes up to the shoulders and neck, which is why shoulders can hurt for a few days or years, depending on the damage done to the nerves.

[DawnH]

When I had my gallbladder out I was told to expect shoulder pain from the gases used but they told me same thing as mentioned above, that the walking helped, and I did that and didn't have any shoulder pain.  I will be walking again

[KarinaWLSJourney]

abqann, on August 14, 2011 - 7:09 PM, said:

I have read on several posts that people get shoulder pain. What causes that and how long does  it last?

they use natural gases to move other organs out of the way to make surgery easier, as for the pain for me it only lasted about 2 days and what it helped was a heating pad, walking (this will move gas either UPWARD OR DOWNWARD ) also with Gas X dissolvable strips.  If you have any questions Go ahead and add me on Facebook and see my ongoing journey, I'm a lapbandster myself and i'm going throught this amaizing journey that I dont regret! follow me on www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband