Shoulder replacement: Post-surgery suggestions

I too will be have a total (reverse) shoulder replacement in my right(dominant) arm. I will be in a sling for 8 weeks (24/7) at a 45 degree angle. Must sleep with sling on and be somewhat in a sitting position.

I am in Toronto (Canada) and there is a specialty bra shop that makes bras that you can slip into using only one arm. I also bought a caftan and an afterbath towel like dress which is a one piece with velcro closure at front.

My friend suggested sleeping in a (rented) recliner and renting an ice machine for pain and inflammation.

Also my friend lived in dresses and skirts so no undies and bought a bidet (which she said was a life-saver) from Amazon for $50.00.

My physiotherapist reminded me to be strong and very kind and patient with yourself as the healing is slow but know it will come in time.

Wishing you much luck and a quicker than your expect and smooth recovery!!
Merle77

@bgrabo

I have a husband at home who is happy to help anytime, but honestly, other than companionship and commiseration, there was very little I needed any help with after my reverse TSR four years ago. I thought I would need help getting my immobilizer on, but found that I could velcro it closed the opposite side and then pull it around my waist to where it belonged, before hooking up the elbow and wrist pieces. Needed no help dressing with pull up sweats or joggers, I didn't buy any new shirts, just wore stretchy old T's with wide V necks or boat necks that I could pull up onto my TSR arm first, then put my head through, and good arm last.
The hardest daily things to do properly were brushing teeth and wiping your behind after BM's. You just have to use your off hand and do the best you can unless you are lucky and have a bidet. Teeth brushing was challenging for me, so I soon switched back to my right hand, by resting my elbow on the sink for support and using smaller wrist movements, rather than than the whole arm. Slow, but did a better job than trying to use my left hand. Showering and combing hair one handed was something I already did, since I couldn't get my bad arm up high enough pre-surgery. I am so happy that I had the kind of immobilizer where I could undo the velcro straps at the wrist/waist in order to move my lower arm forward for various tasks, while keeping the elbow and shoulder rigid. I was using my computer keyboard the day I came home, and could get back to light cooking the next day without harming the shoulder. It also eliminates the need for a bra, because the broad waist piece covers much of your chest.
Everyone reacts to surgery in their own way, and levels of pain are likely the main thing that determines how much help you need or want. My pain level was very low, mostly a dull ache and it felt different than the constant arthritis pain I felt before, probably because I knew it was temporary. While it was comforting to know I had my husband there if I needed help (or to fetch and carry when I just didn't feel like getting up from the recliner) I would have been just fine on my own.

I am approaching my one-year anniversary of my surgery. The only pain now is the occasional short pinch if I reach for something high. I bought sleeveless, button-up shirts and Japanese style shirts with big flowing arms. I found that placing a body pillow next to me kept my arm in a tolerable position. Most of my problems are related to my neuropathy. The neck sling made the opposite shoulder hurt more than the shoulder that had the surgery. I eventually found a sling that wrapped around my waist. It is important to keep doing the exercises after physical therapy. By the way, I'm 75.