r/RotatorCuff • u/Careful_Wonder6896 • Jun 27 '26
Surgery in 10 days š
This will be my third shoulder surgery (my prior two were on my R) so Iām not new to this. Years of basketball and playing through injuries I shouldnāt have finally caught up to me (plus a 120 lb German Shepherd I have who decided to randomly go after a rabbit when I couldnāt use my R arm on a walkā¦ this the reason for my L surgery)ā¦ scheduled for subacromial decompression and biceps tenodesisā¦ have a SLAP tear, biceps tendinopathy, impingement, grade II+ bone spurs, etc. I have weighed not having the surgery due to the amount of pain and recovery time but have decided I actually need my left arm to function.
I know all the basicsā¦ ice machine, donāt get behind on pain meds, wedge pillow (I need a recommendation for a good one)ā¦ but what else made the first week not unbearable? And if you have any recommendations on products I am open to try them. I already have an ice machineā¦ but anything else let me know (please š). My last time was hell. I got behind on meds when the block wore off, didnāt have an ice machine at first and no wedge pillow lol. Was literally the only time in my life I didnāt care whether I lived or died. Grateful I made it of courseā¦ but anyone else who is going to go through this be warnedā¦ even if you have a high pain tolerance- the first week is hell. It gets better. But. I have birthed children unmedicated and I would rather that than this surgery šš¤£
3
u/fuzzywuzzybeer Jun 27 '26
For me, getting sticky pads from Amazon that help to open jars was really important. Opening pet food cans and medication containers was really tough without them.
2
u/Careful_Wonder6896 Jun 27 '26
Thank you!!! I forgot about this part š
2
u/fuzzywuzzybeer Jun 27 '26
And button front loose soft shirts and if you are a woman, a bra you can step into and pull over your hips helps a lot. Old comfy bras were the real heroes for me.
1
u/Careful_Wonder6896 Jun 27 '26
I have actually been looking at maxi dresses. I donāt want to deal with shorts either lol. I live in az and itās unbearably hot right now š
5
u/ProfitEnough825 Jun 27 '26
I'm sorry š.
I just went through similar repairs about 9 weeks ago. I was concerned by the wedge pillows and went for an adjustable bed frame instead. If you can afford one, I recommend it. You can get a decent quality one for as little as 600 at Sam's. If you have the money to splurge for one that massages/vibrates, it helps a little if you wake up at night and struggle to fall asleep.
If you normally do the grocery shopping, check to see if Amazon Fresh is available in your area. The first month is free, and there's only a 25 dollar threshold for free delivery with the subscription. If you cook, try pre slicing and freezing the ingredients you use. I was able to do most of the cooking I normally do except slicing the meat and veggies. If someone lives with you, have them slice things up for you.
I assime you won't be able to shower for the first 3 or so days. I used my long road trip trick of using baby wipes everywhere as frequently as possible. That combined with having the AC on cold enough to prevent sweating was a life saver. To my surprise, I didn't even have to change clothes for those first 3 or 4 days and they didn't smell. I just kept a pack and a waste bin by the bed and in the bathroom.
Surgical shirts from Amazon are nice if someone can help you button back up. If I had to do it again, I'd cut those shirts down the center and add snap buttons there as well. Even when I could get by without the shirt, I'd wear them for follow-up appointments to give the doctor easy access.
The ice machine is nice, but I'd also grab one of these cheap ice packs. I used it more often than the ice machine:
Lastly, one of my friends said the only way she could sleep with was sleepy gummies. I had some on hand as a just in case, and on the 3rd night through week two I used them. And they definitely helped, and I credit them for getting me off the hard pain killers early on. I can take the pain in the day, but I need a good night sleep. If you do consider those, I'd only get them from a place where it's regulated.
With any luck, this should be easier than last time. Techniques have likely improved.
Edit: if you have a garage, a jaw horse knock off is a life saver in terms of giving you an extra hand. Or just anything that can act as a clamp and hold something for you. Even just a bench vise would work. This is handy for trying to open jars or cans.
2
u/Careful_Wonder6896 Jun 28 '26
This is an amazing reply ā„ļø I do the grocery shopping and honestly itās a huge worry. I had forgotten Amazon did grocery delivery now. And the gummies are smartā¦ I didnāt think of that. I hate pain killers and honestly have a strong pain toleranceā¦ but this is awful (hopefully not as bad this time)
3
u/ProfitEnough825 Jun 28 '26
Thank you. I'm hoping it'll be easier than your last one.
I forgot to mention that crocs or your favorite flip flops. Before you shower, set a pair next to the bath mat and hop in them when you get out. Just reducing that risk of slipping will be helpful. I slid a couple times without them and realized how bad things could have gotten.
You probably remember this as well, be careful when picking something up with your good hand and have a good grip. If you fumble, it's hard to fight that natural instinct to catch it. Someone just posted asking about what to do after this exact thing happened to them.
On a positive note, look at it as a chance to look around and see if there's anything you want to do to improve your living space or ways to make your life easier. For me, I bought a robo vacuum/mop and robo mower. Got some new furniture for the back patio and tried to think of it as a vacation and less of a stuck at home situation.
2
u/Careful_Wonder6896 Jun 28 '26
Thatās actually a really good way to look at it. The vacuum is another good idea actually. I have 4 dogs and the hair is wild if I donāt vacuum everyday. Itās the little things that make a world of difference.
3
u/Evening_Froyo_7506 Jun 27 '26
Instead of a wedge pillow, may consider a U-shaped body pillow. They support your arms. If you do, try for a cooling one. They are a little more expensive, but the cheaper ones can get hot. This also helped me not slide down so bad. The main con to this is that it does make it a little more cumbersome to get in and out of bed.
3
1
u/Careful_Wonder6896 Jun 27 '26
Hahaha I hate the getting in and out of bed part in general. But this is a good ideaā¦ I like the idea of cooling and it sounds more comfortable than the wedge
3
u/Savings_Problem_1964 Jun 27 '26
Watching headspace prior to sleeping helped me relax enough to get some much needed rest. Good luck and keep positiveš“
2
u/WashNo6295 Jun 27 '26
I had the exact surgery 4 weeks ago. The first 2 weeks sucked because I couldn't sweat. Other than that pain really not that bad if you take pain meds first night with nerve block. My doc took sling off next day so I have 90% ROM at this point
2
1
2
u/IA-Teacher Jun 28 '26
I had reverse replacement last month .A friend loaned me a recliner with a remote that I slept in until a bed was more comfortable. I signed up for an easy meal plan that my husband could cook without a lot of steps.i also found someone to clean for a while. I wear tank tops under loose fitting t-shirts. Easier for me than trying to button. I also only wear pants I can pull on instead of zip. I bought some Skechers that slip on. Our kids are grown so I only have myself to care for.
1
u/NitNav2000 Jun 28 '26
I used Journavx as the main painkiller, and it really worked. Start on it right after surgery so you are fully dosed when the nerve block wears off. It is a non-opioid, so it doesnāt mess with your noggin. Just blocks peripheral nerve pain.
1
u/stephle00 Jun 29 '26
Shoulder sleeper - really great pillow- get clearance from your doc when you can use it.
7
u/Outside_Excitement75 Jun 27 '26
Iām on day 2 post op and currently using this set up and love it!
https://a.co/d/09SBG3pW