Shoulder tip pain

**Marley&Me** · April 28th, 2015, 05:40 PM

I am having keyhole surgery next week and have been told from one person the shoulder tip pain afterwards was excruciating. And also been told from another person it wasn't an issue (same surgery). Who's had it and how bad was it? Experiences? Advice?
TIA

**Amaunet** · April 28th, 2015, 06:55 PM

I've had keyhole twice (gall bladder and tubal ligation) and didn't have it either time [emoji3]

**~TT40~** · April 28th, 2015, 07:03 PM

Shoulder tip pain is caused by pressure on your diaphragm, a result of either a build up of fluid or gas in your abdomen. Depending what they do, they do fill your gut full of air to ensure closure and stuff, if it isn't released eg farting then it can cause pain. Obviously fluid eg blood build up is something bad, so make sure you do let them know if you experience it.

**Artechim** · April 29th, 2015, 06:21 PM

I had no problem with shoulder pain. It is something to be aware of but certainly doesn't happen to everyone.

**Tinks** · April 30th, 2015, 06:49 AM

You may not get it. I had 2 surgeries last year and only had shoulder tip pain after one of them. It came on a week or so after surgery, it was painful but not anything I couldn't handle. Nurofen is good for it.

**Floweryfields** · April 30th, 2015, 07:46 AM

I have had 2 laps and the pain was really fine the first time, the second time it was terrible. However it wasn't shoulder tip pain for me, it was stomach cramps, really, really bad wind pains.
I put this down to the first op I was up and mobile the evening of the op - was done late afternoon. The 2nd time, I had a catheter in and low blood pressure so they wouldn't let me up for well over 24 hours and then only once in a 48hour period in total. I put my lack of movement down to not getting the gas to move out of my body.
Eventually a very mature and experienced nurse brought me peppermint water - it was a godsend I tell you. Got the wind moving (yep lots of farting lol) and helped like nothing else had. None of the other nurses had any idea how to help. I wasn't allowed a heat bag on my tummy because of the wounds.

So ask for peppermint water - it's strong, only comes in a tiny cup, but oh so good!!

**Marley&Me** · April 30th, 2015, 06:53 PM

Thanks everyone! I am usually very farty anyway

so hopefully I'll fart all the gas out!

I'm a bit panicked as I haven't had surgery since I was 21. I don't like the idea of someone putting me to sleep against my will

**Trillian** · April 30th, 2015, 09:34 PM

I have had two lap surgeries and the first time I breezed through it and recovered very quickly with no shoulder tip pain, but OMG the second time! I was in so much pain from it and the digestic pain killers weren't even touching the sides of it. it was excruciating. I even said to DH that had I known the shoulder tip pain would be so bad I would have had second thoughts about the surgery. It's one of those things where you just don't know if it will affect you or not until after it.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · April 30th, 2015, 10:14 PM

I've had 4 lap surgeries and 1 appendix removal via key hole surgery and the shoulder tip pain after the appendix was by far the worst of them. The only difference with that surgery was that I wasn't up and about until the next day due to low blood pressure and severe nausea so there was a lot of gas to get rid of when I was finally able to get up and about! I found "Degas" tablets from the chemist worked well for me 😊

**Marley&Me** · May 3rd, 2015, 11:07 AM

Argh

I hope I don't get it bad. I'm having my gallbladder removed. Pleeeeease don't let it be bad!

**Amity** · May 3rd, 2015, 12:33 PM

I was in hospital for nearly a week after my gallbladder surgery. Be prepared for a longer stay than you think.

**Marley&Me** · May 3rd, 2015, 04:10 PM

I was in hospital for nearly a week after my gallbladder surgery. Be prepared for a longer stay than you think.

Why is that Amity? Longer than a week I mean

**Amity** · May 4th, 2015, 09:12 PM

Why is that Amity? Longer than a week I mean

I had difficulties with the surgery and the recovery. My gallbladder was inflamed and caused other issues.

Although they say it's day surgery there are at least 40% of people who are in overnight (according to my specialist) and quite a few in for a while longer (like me).

**Tinks** · May 4th, 2015, 10:44 PM

I was told I could go home the day of my gall bladder surgery but ended up staying overnight. I think they send you home way too early.

**Marley&Me** · May 7th, 2015, 09:43 AM

So the op went well, I have 4 holes in my stomach! Sleeping was a nightmare, had to put about 5 pillows so I was sitting up as laying down was excruciating. Had no issue laying on my side in the hospital so it must have been the pain killers. I was sent home with no painkillers, just panadol because they said my pain level was low. But gee it's sore at night! Only very slight shoulder tip pain yesterday so that's no issue. It's just so darn hard not using your stomach muscles. And when DD came home from daycare yesterday she ran to me yelling 'cuddles, cuddles' and wanting me to pick her up for cuddles and I couldn't

I felt so bad

**Trillian** · May 7th, 2015, 09:01 PM

Don't feel bad, you can't help it. Maybe just make sure you're always sitting down first and is gentle and then she can have all the cuddles she wants