Total Shoulder Replacement so far soooo good

@besmith57 I had a total shoulder replacement on October 15, 2025. Am 70, female. I only needed the oxycontin so I could sleep sitting up in a recliner for the first couple weeks post surgery. Very little pain from the surgery. They gave me a nerve block before the surgery, then I was under general anesthesia for the procedure. Nerve block wore off about 3-4 hours after I got home from the surgery, but the pain was only about a 4-5 at most, once that wore off.

Be sure to use ice for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Take it slow and easy. The ice keeps the joint inflammation at bay and I found the ice the most relaxing nice to feel thing early on.

Physical therapy is essential, and do exercises they tell you to do, when the time comes.

I too am very right handed and my surgery was on the right, of course.
I went online and bought these stretchy t-shirts that have snaps on both shoulders and up each side. They were only $9.00 each! I wore those for about six weeks, because it just was simpler than struggling with moving my arm trying to dress...and the slings tend to tear up clothes.

I also went online and found a shoulder icepack that comes in a really nice performing cover; the pack goes in the freezer then when you are ready, you slide the icepack into the cover and strap it onto your shoulder.

Yes, sitting up to sleep was mandatory and the doctor ordered me to do so, because you don't want gravity to pool fluid in the new joint and that is what would happen if you didn't sleep in a recliner for 2-4 weeks. I got used to it and I never in my life could sleep in a chair/recliner or even in an airline seat. But I did and it was worth it. It wasn't great sleep but healing and doing what the doc told me to do was key, I think.

The other thing is that sometimes I would get impatient waiting for healing, but learned real quick: don't overdue it, stay in the sling, but be sure to take a few minutes out of the sling now and again to stretch your bicep and elbow gently. I had more discomfort from keeping my elbow bent in that sling 24/7 than anything else.

Also, when I got home I bent over to pick up something and didn't realize the nerve block was still engaged and when I bent over my right arm (surgery side) slid right out of the sling!! It scared me to death and I didn't realize what a dead weight a nerve blocked arm is! So be very careful while the nerve block is still working, not to lose control of the numb arm; be sure to use your good hand to HOLD that arm so it doesn't slide out of the sling like mine did. It didn't hurt so much as surprised me how heavy my nerve dead arm was, and it just had a mind of its own and slipped right out! That was a whole new experience....

Good luck, don't worry too much about the pain. The meds and icing it will do the job.

I too am very right handed and my surgery was on the right, of course.
I went online and bought these stretchy t-shirts that have snaps on both shoulders and up each side. They were only $9.00 each! I wore those for about six weeks, because it just was simpler than struggling with moving my arm trying to dress...and the slings tend to tear up clothes.

I also went online and found a shoulder icepack that comes in a really nice performing cover; the pack goes in the freezer then when you are ready, you slide the icepack into the cover and strap it onto your shoulder.

Yes, sitting up to sleep was mandatory and the doctor ordered me to do so, because you don't want gravity to pool fluid in the new joint and that is what would happen if you didn't sleep in a recliner for 2-4 weeks. I got used to it and I never in my life could sleep in a chair/recliner or even in an airline seat. But I did and it was worth it. It wasn't great sleep but healing and doing what the doc told me to do was key, I think.

The other thing is that sometimes I would get impatient waiting for healing, but learned real quick: don't overdue it, stay in the sling, but be sure to take a few minutes out of the sling now and again to stretch your bicep and elbow gently. I had more discomfort from keeping my elbow bent in that sling 24/7 than anything else.

Also, when I got home I bent over to pick up something and didn't realize the nerve block was still engaged and when I bent over my right arm (surgery side) slid right out of the sling!! It scared me to death and I didn't realize what a dead weight a nerve blocked arm is! So be very careful while the nerve block is still working, not to lose control of the numb arm; be sure to use your good hand to HOLD that arm so it doesn't slide out of the sling like mine did. It didn't hurt so much as surprised me how heavy my nerve dead arm was, and it just had a mind of its own and slipped right out! That was a whole new experience....

Good luck, don't worry too much about the pain. The meds and icing it will do the job.

@slarson14 I suggest borrowing, renting or buying an ice machine. I used it constantly for about 2 weeks. I wore the same few shirts and leggings for days. Don’t buy special clothing. A button front men’s shirt works well. You’ll need a hand getting it on for the first week but after that it won’t be hard. I bought a “husband” pillow for my bed. It has a high back and arms so I could sit up or semi recline in my bed. Amazon I think. Highly recommend. ( No clue why it’s called “husband”.) The thing I really couldn’t do myself was wash my own hair. I went to a little hair and nail shop in the neighborhood and they washed and dried my hair for $20. A real treat. Still doing it in occasion as I can’t easily put my hand over my head still.

The icepack, throw it in the freezer shoulder harness I got cost less than $40.00 and has two icepacks in it. They can also be heated in the microwave. I wasn't able to fill an icepack with ice since I am right handed.

A button front work shirt didn't work for me, either as my right hand could not help my left hand button buttons and the shirts with the snap shoulder and snap sides only cost $9.00 each.

We each have to get what works for us and what we can afford. I could not even get leggings on, no way. I wore stretchy shorts with an elastic waistband and flip flops or slip on sandals. Can't tie shoes one handed.

I got everything online. The snap shirts were the best ever thing because they STRETCH so manipulating them with one hand was easy. The other thing is that they fit OVER the sling, they stretch so much. I loved them and the shoulder harness cold/heat packs set up. Freeze, refreeze, no ice to mess with.

Renova Medical wear. And I looked them up a moment ago and saw they are $17.99/each. I don't think I paid $17.99/ea four shirts I bought...maybe the price went up (big time!!) - as I remember the total bill was $50/something when I saw my charge card...hmmm.

Sorry if I mislead you on price, but Renova is what the tag says in my shirts.