Good evening Chris thank for taking the time to write and great input. To answer your question no I haven't had any rotator repair surgery. Two separate doctor have indicated that probably a previous fall off my bicycle(2013) and the incident where I slipped while carrying a treadmill on to a truck which jarred my shoulder when I didnt let go of the treadmill and ended sitting down still holding unto it (2019) caused the final "Coup d'etat". I've had physical therapy and still use a good portion of ICYHOT and other roll on lotions. Yes, I've seen videos as well as read several articles on this procedure. I went for a second procedure but I was told that I'm not a candidate for them because of the severity of my injury. I have a" massive full-thickness rotator cuff tear involving entire supra and infraspinatus tendon and portion of subscapularis tendon. Also partial tear of biceps long head." In other words the only solution is a RSR procedure.
I have continued to push the envelope and do therapy three to four times a week at home with resistance bands anchored to the wall. I did go back the second time to the therapist who was not only surprised at the range of my motions but whose words continue to reverberate in my mind " with your current range of motion I would reconsider the surgical procedure, you won't be able to do all this ". This is a person with the credentials and doing physical therapy for at least twenty years. I can lift my left arm and stretch it completely extended in the air, I can raise my arm and assist the right hand in bringing object down or up with minor discomfort, I can brush my hair and touch the top of my head or the back of my neck and brush my teeth. Things I couldn't do last year. I can extend my arm and carry a cup of coffee and drink from it with no problem. All these small victories I couldn't do at one time but I continue to be creative in ways to exercise the shoulder.
The killer issue was when he said " find another form of exercise cause if you fall of the bike I can't fix you" and the second expert surgeon stated we don't do miracles but I can assure you that you will be able to lift the elbow half way up ". Well now you can see why I made my way to this board seeking enlightenment.
Yes, its been trial and error progress as when I used a pole digger one afternoon and the shoulder seized up or when I cut a small tree with a small ax and my shoulder filled with blood under the skin and it took several days to get the craze look out of my eyes never mind the discomfort and pain.
I guess I'm not sure yet what will make me jump of the cliff and have the surgery but the fear of the unknown limitation to my dominant arm holds me back.
Again thanks to you and others that have taken the time with your inputs. It helps to clear the cow webs.