[CharliMarley]

I am scheduled for a shoulder arthrosocopy next month and I am going to be in hospital overnight and then have my arm and shoulder in a sling for about 4 weeks. Has anyone been throught this and how long were you in the sling. How did you manage to get your bra on and what about doing your hair. This is my right shoulder and I am right dominant.

[follies]

Can't help but... OUCH!! My partner had a hip arthroscopy 4 years ago and that was a nightmare.

[CharliMarley]

I think hips are more hospital-timed than shoulders and more pain killers are needed.

[~L~]

I will be watching this thread eagerly for tips...


I'm also about to have shoulder surgery to have a tendon re-attached. I was told to expect day surgery, 6 weeks in a sling and then many weeks of rehab. I too am right dominant and it's my right arm that will be in the sling. I have been practicing how to do things left-handed (ie. also one-handed) all week. It doesn't bode well based on my initial results.
I think I may cut most of my hair off (currently mid back length) as I think it's impossible to tie back long hair with one hand. A good friend told me that the bra thing was the easiet problem to solve. Do it up on the bed and put it on over your head like any other top - just loosen it a little more than usual to start with.

Good luck with your surgery.

[CharliMarley]

Wouldn't the bra strap get in the way of the sling PP?

[~L~]

I honestly haven't tried the bra thing yet and I don't have a sling...I hope someone in EB land has had this done and can give us advice. I would also love some tips on how to train toddlers to do things on their own while you can't lift them. (Already taught mine to get in and out of their car seat on their own.)

[CharliMarley]

Another thing I wanted to know - I will be in hospital overnight, so do I take sleeping clothes, or just stay in the operation gown?

[Paddlepop]

My DH had a shoulder reconstruction/rotor cuff repair done because his shoulder kept dislocating. It was his right shoulder and he is right-handed. He wasn't allowed to move his shoulder at all for about 6 weeks. It was about 4 years ago so I'll see what I can remember.

He was in hospital for one night only. I helped him into his pjs before I left for the night. It was quite funny because they had given him ketamine for the pain relief and he was a bit loopy and couldn't even figure out how to put his foot into his pj pants! His pj top was a t-shirt I think and it just went over the whole sling and arm so the arm was under the shirt. It was a large shirt. The hospital advised that button up shirts would be the easiest thing to wear, and that is what he wore during the day for a few weeks. We managed to work out how to get a t-shirt on though. Put the operated arm through the sleeve first, guide the shirt up the arm until it is in position and then over the head and other arm. I would imagine you could do the same for a bra as long as someone can help you do it up.

My DH was in a lot of pain afterwards and I had to bath, dry and dress him for about a week. After that I had to help him dry and dress. He was able to shave by himself, and brush and floss his teeth. He practised this before the operation. To floss his teeth we bought a thing from a pharmacy that looks a bit like a slingshot stick that you wind your own floss onto (the slingshot elastic) and it was great. He also practised wiping his bum with his left hand. Something to think about! Doing his hair wasn't an issue because he has short hair that is pretty much wash and wear.

The biggest annoyance from his shoulder operation is that he couldn't drive until his sling was off about 6 weeks later. I don't have a licence so it was buses and granny trolleys to get our groceries.

His shoulder is great now and he can throw our toddler around with no problems at all. Previously anything "overarm" would have dislocated it. I hated having to relocate if for him.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to help.

[hoohoobump]

Any good shoulder surgeon should have designated specialist physios that work with them. I'd get in touch and ask some questions about what to expect post-op. Many will see you day one to discuss the dos and don'ts and run through your exercises before you go home.

[Luvmy4]

I had mine done 18 months ago. I had overnight hospital stay and 12 weeks in a full sling with waist strap and wedge.
Just stay in hospital gown overnight...you won't care.

Get button up shirts as they are easier to get on/off. You won't be able to do up a bra so someone else will have to do it for you if you have small boobs just go without...for me (F cup) not such a good idea As for putting things over your head until you get the go ahead to move your arm it is near impossible
My DH was very good at this and putting my hair in a ponytail too (or I just left my hair down). I got up in the morning before DH went to work so he could help me dress

I had to even shower with a sling and a milk carton wedge to keep everything in place so even needed help with washing my hair and drying myself.

Coles/woollies online for groceries my delivery driver carried my shopping right into the kitchen

Cook and freeze some meals before so you can just reheat dinner in the early days

Make sure you do every excercise the physio gives you as it really is important for a good outcome.

Good luck