What I learned from shoulder surgery

It's NOT an easy procedure and it WILL take a long time to recover, regardless of how your orthopedic surgeon sold it to you.

Go ahead and gather the following items before surgery:

1. Large ice packs, at least two. I use one every few hours for 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Button up shirts, large, light, soft and, depending on the time of year, cool or warm.

3. Aleve

4. For the women, bras that fasten in the front.

5. For cold weather, think about a warm cape, it's easier to get on and off.

6. Ask for an extra sling and do NOT stop using it too soon.

7. Backbrush for the shower. Also think about installing a hose on your shower.

8. A 2" pulley and some cord make for a cheap and easy exercise machine.

After the surgery:

It's okay to puke the day after.

If you have a nerve block done before the surgery, be prepared to be reduced to whimpering when it wears off. Take your pain meds, use the ice. It will go away.

I used a product I bought at a grocery store called Disolve IT to remove the tape residue, that and cotton balls. Works great, non-irritating. (Also removed the glue left behind by some genius who decided to place a sticker over my TV speakers)

Do NOT "work through the pain" when you start physical therapy.

Try to identify practices that cause pain or discomfort and do NOT do them. Some of the simplest movements that before you didn't think about doing, you will be painfully reminded of.

Do NOT be afraid to take your pain medication. It is your friend and will speed recovery.

It's okay to curse your surgeon several times a day.