shoulder pain at 4 weeks

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

I'm at 4+ weeks post op, and I have developled a pain in my neck/shoulder and under my ribs on the right side. It's very reimisant of the gas pains I felt about a week post op. This isn't as painful, but it is constant and been lingering for the last three days. At first I thought I just slept on my next wrong, but it's not going away.

Has anyone heard of post surgical gas pains (not caused by digestion but incision) lasting this long or coming back? Or can this be a side line problem with the whole swelly belly thing? It does seem to be worse when I'm puffy.

Thanks again for all the wonderful info and advice on this site!

KHltd
TAH

I developed shoulder, upper back and side pain after surgery as well. It was caused by basically having to use my body differently after surgery because of the inability to use my abdominal muscles. The way I was getting into and out of bed put a lot of strain on my right shoulder and upper back, especially. I was essentially rolling to my side, getting up on one elbow and then squeezing my arm into my rib cage to get upright. I started getting weekly massages about 3 weeks after surgery and the pains went away after a week. The surgery got my whole body out of whack, overall, and the massages helped my muscles to relax and repair and as I healed and started using my abs a little more, that helped too.

I would say that this type of pain is perfectly normal after surgery because you have to make major adjustments in how you move your body. Your surgery was not even 5 weeks ago, so I'd recommend getting someone to just massage you as much as you are comfortable with, focusing on the shoulders, chest and upper back. Then, over the next couple weeks, very gradually try to be more aware of how you are using those muscles and try to spread it out among other muscle groups.

Hope this makes sense and good luck!

I am sorry you are having pain in your neck and shoulder area and your ribs. I would suggest letting your doctor know, maybe even call your GP, and ask for advice. It could be that you are using different muscles than usual and they are feeling a bit overworked. Could be a nerve is affected. And since you find the pain is worse with swelly belly, there very well could be a connection!

Pain from laparoscopy is miserable but I wouldn't think it would resurface this far out from surgery. Talk to your doctor(s) and let us know what you find out! in there! s