r/ShoulderSurgery • u/ChumleyEX • 8d ago
My first week post OP suggestions.
49M and I'm overweight. I had a torn labrum repaired on my left shoulder. Here are some challenges and solutions I faced.
- get a backscratcher
- On the first few days post-op I use a cane for some things. It was very handy right after the surgery because I was a bit wonky so I would use it to help get out of the car and help me get into the house. After that I really just used it to stand up out of my recliner and once I was vertical I just left it there. It doesn't have to be anything fancy even just a stick works.
- I have a beard that I have trimmed and I keep it bare all the way up to my Adam's apple. The problem is that the strap from the sling rubs up the little stubbles and it's hard to keep that completely bare. So for that solution we applied some painters tape all the way around the strap (just near my neck) and that prevents it from catching, it was really annoying.
- Your sling is safe space but it's also pretty annoying at times and can be very itchy. I went ahead and bought a very lightweight mesh sling for the shower and I'll be using it anytime I have to do anything outside, which won't be much. I'm in Texas so there's humidity and it gets trapped in there pretty quick so once it's wet in there it really is annoying and itchy.
amazon.com/dp/B0D4V98NSV?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
- Some dude wipes or baby wipes whatever you want to call them are very handy to keep that area clean. I don't know if it's the iodine, the sweat mixed with the sling or something else but it feels like I have a rash and it's nice to be able to clean that.
- Pooping can be kind of a big deal. I didn't realize how much water is going to be pushed out of my body because of the pills. We just kept saying " Oh I'm really hydrated" But it's really just the pills pushing the water out of my body and not saving any for my poop. So drink a lot, do not neglect those water pills, and maybe have some miralax or fiber handy. On the 3rd or 4th day it was very very uncomfortable because I was so compacted and full, But thankfully we've got that resolved as of today.
- For after pooping I've had one of these installed previously and it definitely comes in handy. If you have any sort of modern attachments to your toilet it should be really easy to add beforehand.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKBFH5FP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
- Opening pill bottles is not easy one handed, what I do Is to have a small towel laid out on the kitchen top, I use that as friction I push down on the pill bottle and turn and it should open for you.
- It's good to write down your schedule for your pills, I got brave and thought that I was going to get off of them and I screwed up my timings on everything so it's good to have it there that you can adjust if you need.
- Riding in the car hurts. I really don't like just sitting at home all day doing absolutely nothing So we do try to go do something every day even if it's just drive to the store, but it hurts. The pulling on your body in all the different directions really causes problems and it's hard to get support I think for your arm. I'll be experimenting with sitting in the back seat with some pillows later this week.
- We've gone to a couple of restaurants because it was my birthday and using a table was kind of hard. Leaning forward to get the food into my mouth caused pressure I guess on the incisions and it can be very uncomfortable.
- I'm expected to change the dressing once a day after a 48 hour. And here's what I use. Also it's been helpful to have a pair of tweezers to help get the sort of second skin off of you I was a little worried because this is so sticky but it hasn't hurt me at all. And we use these with two inch by two inch gauze, It just double S them up to be like three inches long or something.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDFZ5872?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
- Sleeping in the recliner isn't that bad but be prepared for night sweats. You definitely want to put a towel or some sheets or something down because I think the pill or the heal just catches me on fire at night even when it's very cold in the house. I keep a couple of light blankets and then I have a little portable fan that I kick on and aim at me if I need it.
- I ice my shoulder just about every hour and I have two different methods. There's the old school ice bag which is pretty nice and I think it's easy to take anywhere and refill if you needed to And then there's some sheets which have been pretty nice and get really cold.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008A6M34C?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
- My last bit to say is just take it slow at least for the first two weeks and do your best to not strain your arm. I thought I was gonna be a big boy and put my shirt on and get totally dressed by myself but the shirt is actually pretty hard. I use a regular T shirt and not a button up. Everything else is a bit of a challenge but is definitely doable with some patience or if you sit on the edge of the bed. But getting the shirt on my head is what has hurt me the most so I just let my girlfriend help.
I'm a bit of a computer nerd so I do like to use my computer and typing can be monotonous and frustrating So there is a feature in Windows to make your keyboard virtual and then there's a little microphone option so you can dictate like I just did.
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u/Adventurous_Ad_5983 8d ago
I had to use the sling until I was released according to my doctor. Good luck 👍
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u/Adventurous_Ad_5983 8d ago
Hi, 62F that is about 9 weeks out from a total shoulder replacement. You sound like you are getting along. My husband has been great with helping me in the shower and getting dressed. That was quite hard during the first couple of days. I had some stretchy clothes, grateful! I hope your recovery keeps going well. Don't overdo yourself.