Hi again @zhigirl2023, I am glad my experience was good news for you. Replacement surgery means that the existing shoulder mechanism is replaced literally. It is even rearranged. I recall that my surgeon and I had an ongoing verbal battle (joke really) over getting the right size. He also revealed that one of the development engineers would be attending my surgery to make sure everything fit as well as possible. I should remind you that this surgery was about 12 years ago and I was one of the oldest patients to receive what then was a new procedure that was developed in France. In the US, it had only been accessible at the U of WA.

Today, there is a new and valuable process for getting the best fit possible. A 3-D print is created from multiple images. Then the replacement parts are made exactly to fit your shoulder. Mine is a little off centered so to speak because there were only a couple of size options. What that meant was that the fit was not perfect and I ended up with some positions that just weren't possible, e.g. eating an ice cream cone. I just couldn't get it close to my mouth.

You also mentioned a concern about your pre-replacement rotator cuff surgery. I started with a rotator cuff "Grand Canyon". That was how my surgeon referred to my rotator cuff tear. And after that failure, a cadaver graft surgery was also attempted. That was such a poor fit that the attempt was just canceled as soon as they opened the aperture.

The reason for these attempts was to satisfy the insurance company. They didn't want to pay for the "newer" reverse replacement unless the patient was pushing 80 and probably wouldn't live long enough to need additional repairs. My surgeon spent quite a bit of time talking to them and they finally caved.

And I note that you are concerned about the same-day surgery. I worried about that also and have had three surgeries in a same-day center since then although I did spend one night after the shoulder surgery. First, they do have post-surgery overnight facilities if you need them. Second, you must have a helper at home for three days to be able to participate in the same-day option. And finally, there is quite a bit of education about post-surgery pain and movement control.

I was fortunate to have a BFF come up the mountain to take care of me for 4 or 5 days. We actually ended up having a great time together. She made me exercise regularly and helped me with showering and dressing. Don't forget to make sure you have an ice machine.

Also remember that you will probably begin some form of PT within a few days.
And to celebrate I actually went out to dinner on day three post-surgery. Couldn't have a cocktail, but enjoyed being out with friends.

Please let me know if you have additional questions. I know how frightening these experiences can be and hopefully, others will echo my experience.
If you are still terrified, maybe your surgeon can share a video with you so that you can know more about what actually happens. That's what mine did.

I will be waiting for your posts and am happy to be here for you.

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Jump to this post