Shoegal, I had a laparoscopy done with my D&C to check they hadn't perforated my uterus since I bled so badly in the D&C. I had occasional intense pain (when I laughed or coughed) for about 2 days after.. Wikipedia says:

Not all of the CO2 introduced into the abdominal cavity is removed through the incisions during surgery. Gas tends to rise, and when a pocket of CO2 rises in the abdomen, it pushes against the diaphragm, and can exert pressure on the phrenic nerve. This produces a sensation of pain that may extend to the patient's shoulders. In some cases this can also cause considerable pain when breathing. In all cases, however, the pain is transient, as the body tissues will absorb the CO2 and eliminate it through respiration.