Key hole surgery

[Gas1883]

Had it done 5 days ago & im really suffering with trapped wind ( not slept since surgery ) , all under shoulders / back , just cannot get comfortable .
We’ve spoke to hospital & they’ve said it can be a after effect of keyhole surgery , we’ve taken there advice of peppermint tea , gaviston , excercise , sister nurse said try & sleep sat upright , but nothing is working , and I’m that tired , not even my n pain killers now for surgery , just the trapped wind , lack of sleep .
Has anyone had keyhole & had this issue , any other suggestions ? , is it long term ? , thankyou

[Badda]

What was the survey for? Maybe more relevant than the actual laparoscopy itself.

[Gas1883]

Badda said:

What was the survey for? Maybe more relevant than the actual laparoscopy itself.

Removal of kidney tumour .

[ucb]

It's very common to underestimate the after effects of surgery. And discharged from hospital these days does not equal full recovery.
Kidney removal (I assume partial nephrectomy) is a major operation and the back/shoulder pain can be a result of gas in the abdomen but the kidney is also a retroperitoneal organ (don't worry about that term) which means that pain will often refer to the back too.
The bloating and gas is more difficult to explain but it can only be linked to having had a major procedure. It will presumably settle in time. I'd expect at least a couple of weeks of improving discomfort really.

[Arrivalist]

Hi OP,

I had a full nephrectomy by keyhole on my right hand side just over 5 years ago. To access the kidney area they inject a lot of air into the cavity to expand the area and effectively free the space to work in.

I was pretty uncomfortable and bloated for a few days (possibly a week but can’t remember exactly as it’s 5 years ago) after so it’s quite natural. After a week I was back to normal iirc.

[Gas1883]

Thanks all , advice is much appreciated

[Arrivalist]

One thing to be prepared for … the testicle on the side of the kidney removal typically grows much larger after due to fluid. It’s permanent and comes as a bit of a shock

[imck]

I have had keyhole for inguinal hernia
Came round with a lot pain in my shoulders due to gas pumped in to aid surgery.
Pain killers and did disappear.

Also get unrelated bloating from time to time. Very very occasionally causes shoulder pain
Deflatine helps. Like a Rennie but has simethicone to disperse the gas.

All the best for your recovery.

[MitchT]

imck said:

I have had keyhole for inguinal hernia
Came round with a lot pain in my shoulders due to gas pumped in to aid surgery.
Pain killers and did disappear.

Ditto here, though I didn't bother with painkillers.

Had the surgery in January. Pain in both shoulders - excricuating in one - which came and went for a few weeks but was only really bad on Day 1.

[Gas1883]

Sorry not replied earlier , been back to hospital & they’ve confirmed that pain I’m suffering from is trapped wind / gas related , but doctor / consultant believes I’ve also a trapped nerve , never had one before surgery so either from surgery or subsequent days in hospital , so loads of pain killers , and surprisingly I fell asleep in car on way back from hospital , so wife just drove round for a hour when we got back ( wife said it was like our little one when she wouldn’t go asleep , drive in car ) , now going out & sitting in car & I am nodding off for hour / two which is a bit of relief .
Again thanks