How to Prepare for Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery is done to repair damaged joints or muscles. In most cases the surgery is simple and the recovery process is quick. However, there are some things you should do to prepare for yourself for the surgery and the recovery.

Even though shoulder surgery is considered routine and simple it can still be a frightening prospect. If you go into it fully prepared and informed it can be much less daunting. 

• Get details from your doctor. Your surgeon should be willing to sit down with you and explain the entire procedure and what to expect. You'll need to know if you'll be put under using general anesthesia or if they plan on using localized methods. It's more common with shoulder surgery to have general anesthesia used. You want to sit down before this appointment and come up with a list of questions. It's better to ask everything beforehand so you aren't faced with surprises after the fact.


• Make arrangements to have someone drive you home after the surgery. You'll also want someone around the help you for a day or two afterwards. It's going to be impossible to do anything with the surgically repaired arm when you get home. It will be painful and tender when you move it for a few days as well. Plan for this so you'll have some help.


• Prepare your home to make it easier for you to get back to a routine. You may want to make a few meals ahead of time that are already portioned out. Simple acts like lifting pots and pans to cook will be difficult. Make sure you are caught up on housework or have someone to help because this will be hard for a few days as well.


• Follow the doctors directions regarding medication. You'll be given pain medication after the surgery. Even if you aren't in pain you want to take this on schedule. Once the pain comes back if you let it go it will be much harder to reel in.