Why Do You Feel Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery? Here’s the Real Reason | Dr Jay Mehta

After a successful laparoscopic surgery, some patients experience unexpected shoulder pain, often catching them off guard. This pain usually surfaces on the first or second day and can feel confusing or even alarming. But the cause is actually quite simple: irritation of the diaphragm due to the gas used during surgery. We keep the insufflation pressure as low as possible, usually around 11 mmHg, to reduce the chance of this discomfort. While it can sometimes make the procedure slightly more challenging for the surgeon, the goal is always the patient’s comfort and recovery. If the pain does occur, it is almost always temporary. It often resolves on its own within 24 hours. Encouraging simple movements, changing positions, sitting up, walking around, can help ease the discomfort. In some cases, a small amount of trapped gas is the reason behind the pain, and movement helps release it. Patients often ask for painkillers, but with the right guidance, most manage well with minimal medication. This kind of pain, though distressing in the moment, passes quickly. And when it does, patients are not only relieved, they are ready to return home, feeling stronger and more confident in their recovery journey. Follow for More! #LaparoscopicSurgery #MinimallyInvasiveSurgery #PostSurgeryCare #SurgicalRecovery #GeneralSurgery #LaparoscopyRecovery #ShoulderPainAfterSurgery #Gynecology #DrJayMehta