Shoulder and upper-arm pain is not uncommon for those who have had REALIZE Band or LAP-BAND surgery. Although this side effect may seem unusual given your arms and shoulders are nowhere near the surgical site, the pain you’re feeling is often a direct result of pressure being placed on your phrenic nerve.
What is the phrenic nerve?
The phrenic nerve originates in your neck and passes down between your lung and heart to the diaphragm. At the time you undergo adjustable gastric banding surgery, your bariatric surgeon pumps gas into your abdominal region to lift skin and tissue away from the surgical site. This is necessary to provide your surgeon with the visibility he or she needs to fasten the silicone band around the upper portion of your stomach during surgery.
Following surgery, some gas can remain trapped against your diaphragm, resulting in pressure buildup. In turn, pressure buildup can irritate the phrenic nerve, and cause pain to radiate along up the nerve and manifest in the upper arm and shoulder. This sensation is often called gastric band shoulder pain.
Coping with phrenic nerve pain
In most cases, phrenic nerve pain only lasts a few days to a week following gastric banding surgery, and typically goes away on its own. The best way to relieve pain associated with the phrenic nerve is to walk around and be as active as possible, and adhere to the post-surgery diet your bariatric surgeon has recommended. Consuming the wrong types of foods, especially foods high in sodium, can cause bloating and worsen existing pain. If gastric band shoulder pain or abdominal pain continues to persist, try using a heating pad or drink warm beverages to release gas buildup.
