Total Shoulder Replacement so far soooo good

I'm having this surgery in February. I have heard it's the most painful surgery there is. I broke my back in 2 places and had a double fusion. That was very painful. Honestly, how bad is the surgery and recovery?
TIA

I only have a rotator cuff repair to compare this to but it was far less painful and the recovery seems so much faster already. They sent me home with a nerve block device that lasted four whole days. Highly recommend requesting this. Then 1 day of Percocet so I could sleep then just Tylenol and meloxicam after that until about four weeks. PT is 2x a week and it’s hard but not recommended that I push until it’s painful so I don’t. I haven’t used a sling in a week and I have about 75% range of motion already. I’m an extremely active 65 year old woman (triathlons, surf, pickleball, ceramics, cook) and I’m not planning to give up any of it. I’ll keep you posted if you like. Feel free to ask specific question. I’m in Seattle and my doc was Dan Schwartz.

@besmith57

My reverse TSR four years ago, was actually easier on me than my two previous knee replacements. My pain levels were fairly low, I would describe it as an overall ache, not real pain. I did not use the narcotic type pills after the 2nd day home, just the higher dose prescription Ibuprofen and Tylenol. I followed instructions on doing the daily pendulum and other mild exercises that I was given in the hospital before my official rehab started, lots of icing many times a day, and a good recovery with full vertical reach by the 4th month. I love my results and have no regrets.

@ddsack glad to hear you’re recovering well and with minimal pain! I had my RTSR after 5 failed repairs in 10/2020. The failures were due to a couple of falls and performed CPR a week after my first surgery. The replacement was, as you said wasn’t very painful with no need for narcotics. A ton of pendulums for me also. Things went south after a head on collision and my humerus was snapped in half just below the replacement. Struggling ever since. RTSR? Piece of cake, easier than the rotator cuff.

@daveyjanes I would love any posts you make. I'm really nervous about this surgery.

@bobt8 Thank you for saying the pain is not so bad. I'm so sorry you're suffering now from the accident. Will you have to have another replacement? So far, my rotator cuff is fine. I appreciate everyone's responses!

@ddsack Thank you for responding. My lower back hurts all the time, so I hope I just have an overall ache, too. Pain pills really don't work for me. Though I have been taking Tramadol occasionally when I can't take the pain anymore. It seems to take the edge off. Thanks again!

@daveyjanes

Good for you

May I ask what strenghth training you are doing?

Keep up the good work

Baby steps. Minimal unweighted resistance training of muscles surrounding the shoulder such as rotator cuff, deltoids, pecs etc.

I had a total reverse shoulder replacement and it was a piece of cake.