I know many of you are waiting for surgery soon and I wanted to share my recovery experience with you so far. Please remember, everyone is different so this is by no means a static timeline. I don't want to freak you guys out but I wish I had something like this to know what I was in for.

Days 1-2
Pain wasn't so bad
Days 3-10
After pain pump removed, the pain was more intense. Took pain pills every 4 hours.
Day 11
Pain started easing up. Still tough riding in a car from the vibrations.
Week 3
Started PT 3 times a week-Passive Motion. Pain increased since my arm was being moved around. Started back to work-this was too soon. I wish I took a couple more weeks.
Week 4
Was able to stop using the sling. A pillow came in handy to prop my arm for another week or so.
Week 6
PT-Started Active motion. More exercises where I was moving my arm. Also was given more exercises to do at home.
Week 8-12
This is when PT really got tough. My arm was being cranked more since the repair was secure. Emotions are all over the place and tears would come for no reason. Finally able to dress, take a shower, and wash my hair by myself. This was a mile stone-you will see what I mean when you get there.
Week 13-15(this week)
PT-Started strength training. Pain decreased and Rom increased. PT sessions are not as uncomfortable as previous sessions. I was able to work out--20 minutes ellipical and 10 minutes breathe stroke.

So that has been my life the past 3 months. I hope this helps all of you in the beginning stages. Keep your chin up and keep plugging away.

Update
Week 19
Formal Physical therapy finish-Still have to go to use the weight equipment for strengthening(two more months)
Received cortisone shot for tendonitis. Have pain in front of shoulder down into bicep.

7 month update
I now have very little pain in my shoulder unless I do too much. Almost ready to stop strenght training at Physical Therapy and continue on my own. Have been able to work out on eliptical machine without arm motion 30 minutes and swim 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. My shoulder basically feels like I never had the surgery Keep working at it and you too will get there.

Karen

I can't wait for that 3 month part to be here for me. I just want it all over. Thank you karen for sharing. Last time I had shoulder surgery I didn't get a pain pump. I sure could of used one but for some reason he didn't give me one. The first night in the hospital was horrible, I didn't sleep as the pain was horrible and nothing was touching it. They were giving me morphine and percocet. Morphine doesn't work and I don't like it, it only makes me feel silly in the head. Demoral seems to work better for me. Thanks you for sharing what you went through.
Colleen

I guess I forgot to say what was done to my shoulder. I had a slap repair using two anchors, a rotator cuff repair using one anchor, and subacromial decompression.