Good morning @starfirey2k and @barocco. I have had a reverse should replacement. I must tell you that while it appears that this surgery will be very painful because they are working with so many areas........and replacing existing elements......it is not excruciating and can be handled with Dilaudid....or another strong opioid. I say Dilaudid because it is the only one I can tolerate.

My surgeon and anesthetist actually came to my room to make sure I was comfortable. I slept pretty well except that the bandaged shoulder took up a lot of space. I went home with nominal pain and was able to go out to dinner with friends the second night at home.

Ice is the solution. You can have an ice machine that runs ice-cold water itself. Or you can put frozen water bottles in the ice chest and use it that way.

Another must-do......stay ahead of the pain with your ice and pain meds. Don't wait until you are uncomfortable.

Good luck.....let us know how we can help.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Barocco, I'm having total reverse shoulder replacement, June 15, 2021, Yes,so afraid of the pain to be, I wish you well on yours! Kathy

I am hoping that when I do have my shoulder replacement (not yet scheduled) the pain levels will be similar to both my total knee replacements. I was very pleased that I never had the sharp pain that I was dreading, instead it was more of just a large achy area. The pain management during and after surgery was very impressive to me. I am a wuss when it comes to pain, and for me the worst was just the achy restless discomfort of not finding a comfortable position to sleep. Narcotics make me nauseous, so I only took the prescription strength Tylenol once I got home after one night in the hospital. I will have my same surgeon, so I am hoping the shoulder pain will be similar.