It is true that recovery is a long process, but I'm at 3 months and finding it tedious but not painful. I am over 70 and have had a lot of ortho surgery, this is far less painful than most.
In September 2 previous small tears became complete tears and I tore my biceps tendon. In October all 3 were repaired and two major bone spurs were removed. Post surgical pain was less after one week than the day before surgery. I used an ice machine and kept it iced 20 minutes on/20 off for the first 2 weeks and was totally immobile for 5 weeks. And iced at least 4 times a day the first 2 months. I have managed pain with Tylenol and ice since the second week. I am on week 10 of PT and am sore after so I ice.

According to my surgeon, his PA and my PT it will be up to a year to regain full strength and use. And the most important ingredients are patience to let all of the tissue heal completely and persistence to regain range of motion. No strength training until 7-9 months.