I am a newbie to this site and here's my story:

 In late Sept., I fell very hard on an outstretched arm, directly on my armpit and slightly backwards.  Felt incredible "pop" and deep pain in my shoulder.  Laughing it off (fighting back tears I guess!) I let it "heal" over 2 weeks.  Laid back from weightlifting but hopped right back in by 2nd week of Oct.  Strength seemed the same, but with some discomfort in chest and shoulder exercises.  Well, that just delayed the inevitable - awakening at night with great pain, 10 - 15 times per night by early Nov.

 After a couple weeks of nightly pain, I had had it, knowing my body and realizing it wasn't going away.  Hit the doctor, the orthopedic specialist, MRI, x-ray and guess what?  Anterior labrum tear.  It is so deceiving, because as I type and do most normal activities, no pain, just an odd feeling that it just ain't right.  Doc seemed confident in the surgery and seemed to lean that way, but I wanted a few days to think it over.