Things I wish I knew before shoulder surgery You are thinking this now. Right! Shoulder surgery can be a significant event, and there are several things you might want to know beforehand. While I’m not a doctor, I can share some practical tips based on experiences and advice from others who have undergone shoulder surgery.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Shoulder Surgery

Don’t Go It Alone:

• If you’re fortunate enough to have a supportive partner or family member, rely on them during your recovery.
• Prepare for a few weeks of needing assistance around the house. You’ll need someone to drive you home after surgery and help with daily tasks.
• Accept that you’ll be physically challenged initially, and plan ways to make up for it later.

Prepare Meals in Advance:

• Cooking can be challenging when one of the household chefs is out of commission.
• Consider making double batches of your favorite recipes and freezing half. This way, you’ll have ready-to-eat meals during your recovery.
• If you live alone, stock up on easy-to-prepare (read: frozen) meals.

Switch to Paper Plates (Temporarily):

• While not eco-conscious, using paper plates for a few days can save you the hassle of doing dishes one-handed.
• Even if you have a dishwasher, scrubbing food off plates while dealing with post-op pain might be best avoided.

Stock Up on Hygiene Items:

• Before surgery, ensure you have necessary hygiene items for the first few days at home.
• Follow any pre-surgical instructions provided by your physician.

Ask About Your Surgeon’s Experience:

• Elective shoulder surgeries allow you some freedom in choosing your surgeon.
• Inquire about your surgeon’s experience with the specific procedure you need.
• Remember, everyone’s experience is unique, so consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Wishing you a smooth and successful recovery! 

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Research Your Surgeon Thoroughly

Choosing the right surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make regarding your shoulder surgery. Do extensive research to find a skilled surgeon with experience performing your specific procedure.

Ask your general physician for recommendations. Get second and even third opinions from different specialists. Check online reviews from other patients to get a sense of their experiences. Look for surgeons with excellent ratings and lots of experience – at least 50 to 100 surgeries of your type.

Investigate your surgeon’s credentials and education. They should be board-certified in orthopedic surgery and preferably fellowship-trained in shoulder and elbow surgery or sports medicine. Make sure their license is active and in good standing.

Schedule consultations with your top choices. Ask them about their experience with your condition and procedure. Get details on their approach, technique, and expected outcomes. Discuss potential risks and complications to determine how skilled they are at minimizing them. Ask about their patient satisfaction rates and if they track their own surgical outcomes data.

Some other questions to ask:

• How many of these surgeries do you perform each year? 
• What percentage of your practice is devoted to shoulder surgery?
• Do you use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques? 
• How long is the recovery process and what is your rehab protocol?
• What pain management methods do you recommend post-op?

A skilled, experienced surgeon you connect with and trust will ensure the best possible experience and outcome. Do your homework – your shoulder health depends on it. The more you know before surgery, the more confident and at ease you’ll feel during your procedure and recovery.

Prepare Your Home for Post-Op Recovery

Before your shoulder surgery, it’s important to prepare your home for recovery. You won’t be able to do many daily activities for several weeks, so set up your space to make things as easy as possible.

• Stock up on over-the-counter pain medication, bandages, ice packs, and anything else your doctor recommends. Have everything ready so you don’t have to struggle with getting supplies after surgery.
• Place everyday items at arm level. Move things like plates, cups, remotes, chargers, snacks, books, etc. to counter height so you don’t have to reach up or bend down.
• Set up a comfortable recovery area. Prepare a spot where you can rest, sleep, and heal with pillows, blankets, entertainment, and anything you might need within easy reach. Consider a recliner, couch, or bed with lots of pillows for support and elevation.
• Get help for chores and errands. Call on family and friends, or hire a cleaning and errand service to help with laundry, housework, grocery shopping, and other tasks you won’t be able to do yourself during recovery. Ask them to stock the fridge and pantry before your procedure.
• Install grab bars if needed. If you have trouble standing or sitting, install grab bars in key areas like the shower, toilet, and entryways to provide stability and assistance. Non-slip bath mats can also help prevent dangerous falls.
• Do light meal prep. Cook and freeze meals ahead of time that you can easily reheat after surgery. Soups, stews, casseroles, and burritos are good options. Stock up on protein shakes, granola bars, nuts, and other snacks that provide nutrition during recovery.

The more you prepare your home beforehand, the less stress and difficulty you’ll have during the post-op period. Take it easy, focus on healing, and let friends and family help out-you’ll be back to normal activities before you know it! But in the meantime, relax and make the most of forced rest and leisure. Your shoulder will thank you for it.

Line Up Help for Daily Activities

After shoulder surgery, daily tasks will be challenging, if not impossible, for a while. Make arrangements ahead of time to have help from family and friends for things like:

• Driving: Driving will be off limits, so line up rides to appointments, physical therapy, and errands. See if friends or family members can be on call as your chauffeur during recovery.
• Meals: Cooking and meal prep will be tough with limited mobility and use of only one arm. Stock up on easy, pre-made meals or meal kits, or ask friends and family if they’d be willing to bring you meals during the initial weeks of recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask for help-people will want to support you during this time.
• Housework: Vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, laundry, taking out trash-all of these chores will need to be delegated or hired out. If possible, do a deep clean of your home before surgery so you’re not worrying as much about the state of things during recovery. Ask a friend or family member to be “on call” to help with any urgent chores or spills. Consider hiring a cleaning service to do a one-time or ongoing clean during the weeks following surgery.
• Personal Hygiene: Showering and bathing will require some assistance in the beginning. Install grab bars in your shower or tub before surgery. Ask a close friend or family member to help with your first few showers-it may feel awkward but they just want to support your recovery. Also stock up on dry shampoo, baby wipes, and any tools that can help you feel fresh when showers aren’t possible.

The road to recovery will have ups and downs, but surrounding yourself with a strong support system can help make the journey smoother. Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help from those who care about you. Your independence will return over time, but in the early weeks following surgery, teamwork makes the dream work.

Know What to Expect Pain-Wise

Shoulder surgery is a major procedure, so don’t expect to walk out of the operating room without some discomfort. The level of pain can vary from person to person based on factors like the complexity of your surgery and your pain tolerance. Be prepared for noticeable pain for the first few days to weeks. The good news is that with the pain management techniques and medications available today, it is usually controllable.

Some tips to help manage your pain:

• Ask your doctor about medication options before the surgery so you have a pain management plan in place for when you’re discharged from the hospital. Common medications include opioids like hydrocodone, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
• Apply ice or cold packs to your shoulder as directed by your doctor. This can help reduce inflammation and ease pain. Do it for 10-20 minutes at a time, a few times per day.
• Keep your arm in a sling or immobilizer as instructed. Limiting movement will prevent further injury while your shoulder heals.
• Try gentle exercises like pendulum swings as prescribed by your physical therapist. Light movement helps prevent stiffness and promotes healing. But don’t overdo it, especially in the early days.
• Ask about other options like nerve blocks or pain pumps if your pain is severe. These provide temporary relief so you can participate in physical therapy and do exercises to aid your recovery.
• Stay on top of your pain medication schedule, especially in the first week or two. It’s easier to prevent pain from getting bad than to bring it back under control once it’s spiked.
• Be patient through the recovery process. Shoulder pain can last for several months as you heal and rebuild strength and range of motion. But with time and proper rehab, the pain will subside.

The pain you experience after shoulder surgery may be temporary, but the benefits of the procedure can last for years. Focus on following your doctor’s recommendations, doing prescribed exercises, and being kind to yourself during recovery. With patience, the pain will fade and you’ll be using that shoulder again in no time.

Stock Up on Recommended Post-Op Supplies

Before your shoulder surgery, make sure you have everything your doctor recommends to aid in recovery. Stock up on the following supplies so you have them on hand for when you return home:

• Ice packs or cold compresses: Ice the surgical area as directed by your doctor to reduce swelling and provide relief from pain. Reusable ice packs or cold compresses are more environmentally friendly and budget-friendly than disposable options.
• Bandages and gauze: You’ll need to change the bandage over your incision regularly as directed. Stock up on bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, and bandage scissors.
• Pain medication: Fill any prescriptions for pain medication beforehand so you have them ready when you get home. Over-the-counter medications can also help, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Pillows: Extra pillows can help make you more comfortable during recovery. Consider wedge pillows, body pillows or simply stocking up on a few extra bed pillows.
• Button-down or zip-front clothing: It may be difficult to raise your arm to put on or take off shirts for a while after surgery. Loose, comfortable clothing that you can slip on and off easily is best.
• Any recommended therapy items: If recommended by your doctor, have physical therapy items on hand like resistance bands, exercise balls or hand grips. Starting therapy soon after surgery will aid your recovery.
• Entertainment: Recovery can be boring, so load up your tablet or streaming services with books, movies, shows, games, podcasts or music to help pass the time.
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies: Practice good hygiene and keep your home clean to avoid risk of infection as you recover. Stock up on hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes or sprays and any other cleaning supplies you may need.

By preparing in advance and having everything on hand after your procedure, you’ll be ready to focus on resting and the road to recovery. The weeks following surgery will pass more quickly if you go in prepared for this new chapter. Best of luck to you!

Conclusion

So there you have it! Now you’re armed with some of the key things I wish I had known beforehand. Surgery and recovery is never easy, but hopefully, you now feel more prepared. Listen to your body, take the rehab seriously, and don’t hesitate to lean on your support system. This too shall pass. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your regular routine, wondering how you ever lived with that nagging shoulder pain. Stay positive and trust the process. You’ve got this! here we provided much information about things I wish I knew before shoulder surgery! If you have any questions contact us.