After shoulder surgery it takes around 4 to 12 weeks to wear your regular clothes again depending on the healing progress.
You can often begin wearing certain regular clothes, like loose button down or zip up shirts, immediately after the shoulder surgery, but returning to your fully normal regular clothes takes 4 to 12 weeks.
In weeks 1 to 4-6 which is the sling phase, you must wear a sling and avoid raising your arm that was operated on.
You can wear regular clothes if they are loose, front opening button downs, or zip up hoodies, but you should avoid tight pullovers or shirts that you have to pull over your head.
In the weeks 4 to 8 after shoulder surgery which is when you transition out of the sling, you can slowly try to wear loose pullover shirts as your physical therapist clears you to remove the sling.
In weeks 8 to 12 and beyond which is the normal routine, most people return to regular daily dressing, although overhead reaching and tight clothing might still feel uncomfortable to you.
And 3 to 6 months after shoulder surgery, you should have full clearance for wearing all regular clothing and unrestricted movement also depends on your surgeon's approval.
To dress safely after shoulder surgery, always dress the arm that was operated on first and slip the sleeve over your surgical arm before doing anything else.
Undress the opposite way, by taking your shirt off your unoperated arm first, then gently slide it off the surgical side last.
You can also choose adaptive clothing options like front closure bras, stretchy pants and loose button down shirts to make daily routines much easier after shoulder surgery.
The clothes to wear after shoulder surgery with a sling are loose fitting, front opening clothing such as zip up hoodies, button down shirts, or even specialized adaptive shirts, which allow you to dress without lifting your arms overhead.
Relaxed fit, oversized button down shirts are good to wear with a sling after shoulder surgery as they allow you to slip your surgical arm in first without raising it.
Full zip front hoodies or cardigans are good as full zip options open completely flat, avoiding any need to pull fabric over your head.
And shirts from brands like Renova Medical Wear feature snaps or side/shoulder openings for easy medical access and dressing are good to wear after shoulder surgery with a sling.
And if wearing a t-shirt, you should choose a soft, loose size with large armholes after shoulder surgery with a sling.
For undergarments and bottoms after shoulder surgery with a sling you should choose bras with front clips, magnets, or zippers, such as those from Liberare to avoid reaching behind your back.
You can also wear sweatpants, joggers, or pull-up shorts with elastic waistbands and for shoes, avoid shoes with laces that require 2 hands or bending over excessively and choose slip on shoes or Velcro shoes.
When getting dressed, dress the surgical side first and always guide your operated arm into the sleeve first, then wrap the shirt around your back for your good arm and take your non surgical (good) arm out of the clothing first, and then slide the surgical arm out last.
And put a soft, thin layer of clothing between your skin and the sling makes wearing the sling or immobilizer much more comfortable.
After shoulder surgery you should avoid lifting heavy items, pushing or pulling with the arm that was operated on and removing your sling too soon.
After shoulder surgery, you should avoid lifting anything that is heavier than a coffee cup for example, with the arm that the shoulder was operated on for the first several weeks and never use the operated shoulder or arm to push yourself up from a bed or a chair and avoid pulling on doors and don't reach awkwardly and avoid reaching high above your head, behind your back, or across your body.
After shoulder surgery, you should not take off the sling early and keep your arm in the prescribed immobilizer or sling, unless your doctor or your physical therapist permits the removal of the immobilizer or sling for approved exercises.
And avoid sleeping on the side that was operated on and avoid lying directly on your operated shoulder and sleep in a recliner or a propped up position in bed instead and don't miss your scheduled rehabilitation sessions or stop doing your home exercises.
For daily activities and care after shoulder surgery, don't drive as you should avoid driving while taking the prescribed medication and while your arm remains restricted in a sling and keep your wounds clean and dry and avoid baths or swimming until your surgeon clears you which is often 6 weeks.
And don't take any unauthorized NSAIDs, as some shoulder surgery repairs require you to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen for the first couple of weeks, so you should check with your surgical team first.
The fastest way to recover from shoulder surgery is to strictly follow your physical therapy plan and manage the pain and the swelling early on.
Following the physical therapy after shoulder surgery involves doing the prescribed exercises, committing to the schedule and avoiding pushing through sharp pain.
Start with gentle passive movements such as pendulum exercises, exactly where your doctor or your physical therapist advises and don't skip any sessions or home exercises once your shoulder starts feeling better, as consistency rebuilds strength and prevents permanent stiffness.
And gentle stretching is good after shoulder surgery to help you recover, but forcing movements or working through severe pain can actually damage the shoulder repair.
For managing pain and swelling after shoulder surgery, use cold therapy, by applying ice or a cold therapy cuff continuously for the first 3 days, (or as directed) to reduce swelling and numb pain and take your prescribed pain pills before your pain becomes severe, especially 30 minutes to 45 minutes before doing your therapy exercises.
Also switch to non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as soon as you can to avoid strong side effects like severe constipation from the strong narcotics.
For support and daily healing after shoulder surgery, protect the joint, by wearing your sling consistently as instructed to keep the repaired tissue stable and get light movement by walking a little bit each day to boost blood circulation and lower the risk of blood clots and stay hydrated and eat fiber.
Drink plenty of water and eat high fiber foods to prevent opioid induced constipation.
The worst day after shoulder surgery is day 2 and day 4 or the third and the 4th nights which is when the nerve block completely wears off.
The reason why day 2 and day 4 are the worst days after shoulder surgery are due to the nerve block wearing off, the rebound effect and sleep disruption.
Most people who have shoulder surgery, receive a regional nerve block, which keeps the arm numb for the first 24 hours to 48 hours, and once the numbing medication fades, the full surgical discomfort sets in rapidly, it often catches you off guard.
And nighttime discomfort after shoulder surgery tends to peak during this window, which makes it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Doctors often advise their patients after shoulder surgery to take prescribed pain medication before the nerve block completely wears off to bridge the gap and applying cold therapy as directed helps control swelling and dulls nerve sensitivity around the joint.
And by days 4 to 7, pain often begins to subside, allowing many people to step down from narcotics to over the counter anti-inflammatories or Tylenol during the day.
After shoulder surgery you need someone with you for the first 24 hours to 72 hours, and often need help with daily tasks for the first 1 to 2 weeks.
After the shoulder surgery, you need a ride home and someone must drive you home from the surgical center or hospital.
And for the first 24 hours to 72 hours, you will need assistance in taking strong prescription medications.
You also need to have someone nearby for the first 3 days to 5 days to help with meals, medication schedules and dressing.
For ongoing assistance for the first 1 to 2 weeks, your arm will also be in a sling, and you can't use it to push, pull or lift.
You will also need help with bathing, preparing food and household chores during the first couple of weeks.
And you can't drive while using the narcotic pain medicines or while your arm is restricted in a sling.
And you will need rides to early physical therapy appointments.
Most people go home the same day as their shoulder surgery, but you should plan to stay mostly at home to rest for 1 to 2 weeks.
Return to Work or School after shoulder surgery:
Desk or remote jobs: You can often return in 1 to 2 weeks if you feel up to typing and managing pain.
Physical or manual labor jobs: You may need to stay home or on light duty for 3 to 4 months (or longer) to protect your healing shoulder.
Early Recovery at Home (First 1 to 2 Weeks) after shoulder surgery:
Wound care: Keep your incisions clean and dry.
Immobilization: Wear your sling almost all the time, including while sleeping.
Help needed: Arrange for someone to stay with you or check in daily for the first few days to help with meals and basic tasks.
Driving: You cannot drive while taking prescription pain medications or while your arm is immobilized in a sling (often 4 to 6 weeks or more).