Had surgery on Thursday Oct 2nd.
SLAP tear with impingement, the surgery was "SLAP repair, acromeoplasty, bursectomy". I saw the surgeon's assistant post-op, but was in a hazy state and don't remember much. I think he said they had to re-attach the bicep tendon to the shoulder bone (tendonesis right?) and that they used 6 sutures for the slap tear (was a big one).

I'm scheduled to see my Doc in a week, but till then, wanna find out some more info. I'm in a sling and have an ice machine, and honestly, I barely have ANY pain whatsoever. Was prescribed with a ton of pain meds but haven't used any at all yet. No problems sleeping, either, just a little stiff neck & headache in the morning from sleeping in my couch / recliner.

What I'm wondering is - can I take the sling off to shower, or get dressed, put a shirt on, etc? As long as I'm sup careful of course. The shoulder definitely hurts if I make some odd movement and I try to minimize em as much as possible. Just wondering what the general guidelines are....

Thanks,
-B

It is great you are having such mild pain, the ice machine probably helps with that, wish I had thought to get one to help with my recovery.
I was aloud to remove dressings and shower 2 days after surgery. Make sure you use waterproof bandages on you incisions and when you shower hold your elbow close to your body. I have noticed in several post that some people have used a cloth sling so they wouldn't "forget" and try to reach for something. You might want to call your doc to see what he says, they all seem to be different.
Getting yourself dressed the first time will be an experience I found that button ups are best the first few weeks, just make sure you put the "bad" arm in first and when you take shirt off "bad" arm comes out last.
Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Get a cheapo sling from a local drugstore or Walmart type place. They are cotton and you can shower in it, and leave it to dry for the next round. You WILL want a sling when you shower, a loose dangling arm starts screaming very loud, just about the time you are soaking wet!

Sky

Hi Bro..
wow that's great to hear that things went so well and your pain level is minimal...you are fortunate...smurfs and sky's tips are great...i am 4 weeks post op,..was lucky enough to be off work so my "uniform" was a tank top, a cotton snap front shirt (even easier than dealing w/ buttons..lol) and pull on shorts or sweats...) (it was almost 4 weeks before i put on a regular pair of pants!) (fortunately no work/warm weather worked in my favour). I found i didn't need a sling for showering...(and actually had to get my hair washed in a salon a few times until i could lift my arm up over my head!)(not sure if you are M or F..but being a girl with long hair that was something i had no choice but to do!). I was also driving at about the 8 day mark..(but tried to limit my trips to PT and the odd errand).
Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.
Sherri
PS a friend had a good idea for the ice machine..we used 4 or 5 large fast food plastic cups..kept them in the freezer..popped the ice out with hot water...much easier then running to the store and buying bags of ice...(ususally the machine took 3 cups worth,..so we could keep some on hand for the next refill)

Hi Bro..
wow that's great to hear that things went so well and your pain level is minimal...you are fortunate...smurfs and sky's tips are great...i am 4 weeks post op,..was lucky enough to be off work so my "uniform" was a tank top, a cotton snap front shirt (even easier than dealing w/ buttons..lol) and pull on shorts or sweats...) (it was almost 4 weeks before i put on a regular pair of pants!) (fortunately no work/warm weather worked in my favour). I found i didn't need a sling for showering...(and actually had to get my hair washed in a salon a few times until i could lift my arm up over my head!)(not sure if you are M or F..but being a girl with long hair that was something i had no choice but to do!). I was also driving at about the 8 day mark..(but tried to limit my trips to PT and the odd errand).
Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly.
Sherri
PS a friend had a good idea for the ice machine..we used 4 or 5 large fast food plastic cups..kept them in the freezer..popped the ice out with hot water...much easier then running to the store and buying bags of ice...(ususally the machine took 3 cups worth,..so we could keep some on hand for the next refill)

hi bro,
I'm 6 days po and my post op instructions (that i finally found today!) said i could shower after the 3rd day which i did. i didn't wear the sling but was sore after. i also discovered i can shower over the steri strips just be careful to pat dry so you don't dislodge them.

i have been sleeping in my recliner since home and found sleeping on a down pillow the length of my back helps. i also had purchased a micro bead stuffed bear at target when i had my initial injury to rest my arm on. he's squishy and mold able and works great as a head and neck support at night. if my neck gets stiff i roll an ice pack and put it under my neck and along my shoulder and it seems to relieve any stiffness.

only done button shirts so far, verrrrrry carefully. found zippered pants easier for bathroom trips but not as comfy so i am becoming a contortionist

good luck, nothing will make you feel as good as that first shower! t