Welcome to Shoulder Surgery Survival for Women!

 I’ve learned a few things from my recent shoulder surgery. Planning helps!  What purchases and preparations can you make ahead of time in order to be ready? Here’s a photograph of a few things that I found helpful.

                                                     
For example, pump bottles. As you can see, my shampoo and conditioner and soap are all in pump bottles. Once your arm is in a sling you’ll find it a lot easier to use these products with one hand.


Medication 
Press and turn lids are nearly impossible to remove with one hand. Depending on your home situation, you can request a non-childproof lid at the pharmacy. You do not want to find yourself unable to open your medicine bottle! And for pain, a big bag of frozen peas makes a great ice pack.

                                                           
By the way, along with press and turn lids, it’s difficult to put your hair in a ponytail, remove ice from an ice cube tray, use a can opener, or perform any other two-handed tasks. Plan ahead when you go to the grocery store before your surgery. The easiest food will be precut and in bite-sized pieces. And, seriously, do any banking and bill-paying before surgery.
Online banking  +  painkillers  = ??$$!!

The first day after surgery you’ll probably need a clear diet. Pre-made Jell-O comes in individual serving sizes, both sugar-free and regular. Clear broth should only be purchased with a pop top. (My doctor provided a scopolamine patch to help fight nausea the first two days-it helped!)

Next: a few things to consider ahead of time regarding clothing. I prepared several inexpensive large white T-shirts, slitting the seam of the T-shirt from under the sleeve down the underside (of the injured arm side.) This let me slip the T-shirt sleeve over my good arm, put my neck through the neck hole, and loosely drape the other sleeve over the shoulder dressing the first few days at home/bedtime. The sling was easy to put on over the T-shirt even when I was in the most pain. Don’t worry, it gets better!                                                    

It will be impossible to hook a bra behind your back. The easiest and most effective alternative is the stretch camisole with built-in bra. Some have built-in cups, and others a shelf bra. The most important thing is that they are easy to pull up with one arm. Pull the strap first over your healthy shoulder, leaving the other strap beneath the injured armpit, creating a one- sleeved camisole. As you recover, and dressings are removed from the injured shoulder, the other strap can be loosely placed over the injured shoulder.

                                                         
It’s easiest to put a layer over the camisole if you use stretchy clothing. A sweater put on your healthy arm and loosely draped over the injured shoulder is one choice. Once you’re past the painkiller phase, another choice is a garment with large armholes and neck hole, and loose, short sleeves. (For step-by-step directions with illustrations, go to www.melindabennington.com) Remember, clothes go on the injured arm first, using your healthy arm to adjust the top, the injured arm supported at all times. Once the top is in place, put your sling on over the top. I went through my closet then went shopping the week before surgery. Trying on clothes with one arm in a pretend sling position before surgery is a lot better than trying to get into clothing after surgery and finding that it’s too painful, or you can’t get back out!

The sling padding gets really itchy. I tried several liners but found a light silk scarf worked best.
     
I was surprised to find that the fluid pumped into the shoulder pooled in the abdomen until absorbed. Comfortable, pull-on athletic pants are easiest. However, if you need to dress for the office or a more formal setting, there’s a trick you can use to button your pants with one hand. Look at the picture. Put a rubber band through the buttonhole then through itself. This creates a loop that can be hooked over the button. Once the button is hooked, pull up the zipper. (This works well when you’re pregnant, too.)
                                                 
Slip-on shoes are easiest for footwear. Tying shoelaces is out of the question.

Before your surgery, purchase a package of Velcro with adhesive backing. You won’t believe how many things you can stick to your bulky sling! (I attached my cell phone and sunglasses)
                                     
Face it, you’re going to feel gross when you can’t take a full shower the first few days. But you can’t get the bandages wet. A package of baby wipes comes in really handy in the meantime. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding bathing.

When I tried to work from home the first few days, even to catch up on email, I’d fall asleep with my laptop humming. I was glad to have dictation software; one-handed typing is slow. But emails I thought I’d sent I later found in my drafts folder. (And a couple sent that should’ve still been drafts!) I decided it was better to just rest, and heal. Accept help. A sense of humor comes in handy.  🙂

Set your television ahead of time to record every show and movie you want to watch during your recovery. Download or buy good books with simple plot lines. Make sure your pillows are plumped. Treat yourself gently and with patient kindness. And be well. ~ Melinda