Surgery Advice and Experiences Wanted

Croatan_Kid

Croatan_Kid

How's your hammer hangin'?
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Location
New Bern
Fair warning...it's a bit of a long post.

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but I've been a little quiet around here lately as life has thrown plenty at me. It happens and we've all got shit to deal with.

I've been dealing with my regular job, working 4 to 2:15am, Monday through Thursday. Along with that, for several weeks now, I'll get up around 9am and go work at my buddy's shop fixing cars/trucks before work until about 2 or 2:30 to make some extra doll hairs. I will also work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if necessary. Sure...I'm tired, but I sleep better, feel better, and it keeps my mind occupied. Not to mention the extra money helping me pay things down faster and get back to a financial happy place after some dumb shit "helping" someone in the past.

Of course, I also have to keep up with other things. Such as, but not limited to: keeping grass mowed at my two properties, trying to get my "new" RZR ready for an upcoming Hatfield McCoy trip, trying to keep my two doggos happy/healthy, and maintaining friendships, etc.

As if that wouldn't be enough to send anyone to the nut house...I hurt my left shoulder back in April. It's hurt ever since and I finally got some x -rays and an MRI. Long story short, surgery IS happening. I just found out two days ago. I don't know WHEN yet, but they'll call and set me up a meeting with the surgeon to discuss the details of when, where, what, recovery time, and PT after the fact.

For reference, I have a substantial tear in the labrum, borderline severe tendinitis, definite nerve impingement, and osteolysis of the distal clavicle. Fancy doctor talk for: your shoulder socket bone is worn out, rubbing against each other, pinching nerves, and barely being held together. It's as fascinating to me as it is terrifying. It's been hurting since I heard it pop, some 6 months ago, and hasn't gotten any better. I saw three different doctors yesterday (pain management, primary care, and ortho) and nary a one mentioned starting with PT. I'm glad, but also kinda spaced out with thinking of the reality of what's going to happen. Ultimately and overall, glad though. It's getting fixed and will eventually not hurt like it has been.

Depending on when they schedule me, I'm definitely going to try and get the RZR done and enjoy the trip and riding at Hatfield/McCoy. I would also like to get a few things done on my CUCV and get it listed for sale. In my particular situation, I am milllldly concerned about income during my downtime as I won't be able to do my usual physical labor. I'll still have my regular paycheck from work and will likely be placed on sick leave. Hell, I may be out of work through Thanksgiving/Christmas and right on til the end of the year.

Anyway, I figured some of yall have been through similar surgeries and/or down time. Obviously, I'll do whatever they tell me to do for recovery and taking care to not undo what they do to fix it. How did things go for yall in such a case? What did you do during recovery? How long was the recovery? However many years post-surgery, how are things holding up as far as pain, mobility, and range of motion?

Also...anybody want to buy my CUCV? 🤣
 
I've had both knees replaced, two years apart. Knee replacement is two weeks down and then ease back into life gingerly. I'm a self employed landscaper who works mainly alone. I was able to utilize my son during both as it worked out and I was able to get back on a limited basis within 3-4 weeks and then full on pretty quick. I did plan ahead and didn't have any looming financial woes and had money to pay my way through both. I planned both during slower times so that helped.
And as much as you want to do the Razor thing, maybe give that a little time off to prepare and heal. Go be a passenger maybe. You're still young and have time for that once you are better.,
Do your PT to the fullest, be the best patient and listen to the therapist. Do your PT at home too. Do not underestimate the value of icing a lot! It keeps inflammation and swelling down which promotes healing also.
Mainly you NEED this to live fully so do it, and plan to take good care of all joints and your body in general as you get older. I am very careful with my shoulders and back, I do back exercises a few times per week and my motto with my knees is "I don't run, I don't jump, I don't kick, I don't stomp!" :laughing:
And good luck with it all!
 
I’ve had 3 back surgeries (2016, 2017, & 2018). follow doctors orders, even if you feel like you can do more, don’t.
during your down time, watch the movies you’ve been wanting to see or read some books. You can get the Libby app and tie it to your local library card and check out e-books for free.
 
Don't sit there and hurt unnecessarily, but minimize and get off the painkillers asap. When I had my guts re-arranged, they sent me home with enough opiods to kill a horse. Got by just fine on Tylenol.

Set up your "recovery station" at home before you go in. Recliner or whatever, stocked with whatever books, magazines, laptop, chargers, etc you want within reach, so you don't have to keep chasing after stuff (or wearing out your family).

Get some helpers, too. Whoever takes you to the hospital, sits and waits, etc will have had a long tiring day. Give them a break and let them rest. I hired a neighbor that was a retired nurse to come in for the first 24 hours at home so my wife would have a break and recharge.

See if the doc will give you prescriptions a few days before the procedure, and a list of supplies you will need (dressings, etc) so you don't have to stop by the pharmacy on the way home or send somebody.

Think about things you won't be able to reach for a while as you recover. Glasses and dishes in the top cabinet. Microwave over the stove.
 
I've had surgery on both shoulders, back to back. I had a severe labrum tear in my left shoulder from falling and catching myself on ice in my driveway. Surgery on the right just to clean out a ton of scar tissue from baseball, wrestling, etc.

I'm not gonna lie, it effin sucked. I had the left done, then 6 weeks later, the right. It's the only surgery I've ever had other than a snip.
Expect to need help for a couple weeks, for sure. I had pt starting 2 weeks in. You will have to get your range of motion back. Mine was usable at 4 weeks, but very limited.

It's been so long ago, i really don't remember enough specifics. Do yourself a favor and get a recliner, if you don't have one. It's where you will sleep for a while.

I took the pain meds as prescribed, you don't have to be a hero, but it pays to get off them asap. Just don't be miserable. Take them, for sure, the first week and you can figure it out from there.

Oh, wiping your ass with the wrong hand is fun, lol
 
obullfish said:
Rotator cuff surgery from the few people I know that have had it has ranged from 4-9 months recovery.
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Took dad about 6 months.He's had 2-3 hernia surgeries,numerous kindey stones and gets regular injections in his left eye.He's says the shoulder was/is the worse things he's ever had to deal with.
 
And for those that have mentioned rotator cuff, that's anther animal from just labrum. Jake mentioned a lot, and he might have that kind of recovery, idk.
 
I don't know exactly what they're doing yet, just THAT they're doing it. Waiting to get the consultation meeting with the surgeon scheduled to discuss all of that.

My couches recline and I already sleep on them frequently anyway.

My biggest thing is figuring out who TF I'm going to be able to get to help me out afterward. Or drive me there and back. Or...anything, really. I do not have a great support system and rely on myself for 99.875% of just about everything.

Fun fact...pain meds don't work for me. So, I'm interested to see how everything goes afterwards and how badly everything hurts. Should be a fun time. I'm also left handed and this is my left shoulder. It's really going to be quite a time!
 
A few thoughts.
I’ve had 5 knees surgeries and 1 shoulder surgery. I’ve needed another shoulder surgery on the other arm for 2 years. Buncha nope. I’d have another knee cut and not blink an eye.
I’ve had two cortisone shots in the shoulder and holding off for anything more- it’s never felt the same and rehab sucked.

Sorry for the vote of non confidence.

Look into prehab. I wish I had.
Look into Bpc157 and tb500…they can be your friend. I’m not sure where to source these days - @ckruzer may have a lead there. But added to a Pt and rehab protocol they can cut the time by 75%. Not to 75% by 75%.

Also…deets on the cucv- my name is Ron and I have a problem
 
I’ve been dealing with a torn front and rear labrum in my left shoulder since spring of 2019. Lots of PT didn’t help. Ortho surgeon says there’s like a 50% success rate with surgery. I’d rather just deal with it instead of risk the surgery, because it’s more of an annoyance than a problem 95% of the time. Also, losing 15 pounds seems to have helped more than anything else I’ve done.
 
I had both of my shoulders repaired at different times it took me around 4 to 5 months to get back to what i have now. I only got around 70 to 80% back of what i had before the injuries happened. But i never took any pain pills before or after the surgery's i used the ice pack shoulder pad they put on me after the surgery for around a week and dealt with what pain didn't take the fist pill it wasn't easy. Good luck and be careful after the repair to not hurt it for a year.
 
One other thing I thought of.... If it is arthroscopic surgery, it would likely be outpatient. More invasive, a day or three in the hospital. Figure out what YOU want as far as visitors, and let your family and friends know. Appoint a gatekeeper if you have to. My thoughts have always been if you are sick enough to be in the hospital, you ought to be left alone to rest and heal. My wife's family is one to gather at the beside and stare at the sick one. Same for at home. I turned off the ringer on my main cell phone, and got a google voice/text number that I just gave out to a select few friends and family (maybe 5 total). Kept the main number turned off for about a week. YMMV, yada yada.
 
No advice except to reiterate about the pills. Use only what you Absolutely need and get rid of the rest. Rest as prescribed and take it slow. Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery!! If you get bored come on up and have a lunch on me here in Southern Pines.
 
I had one shoulder done in 2010, major surgery . Torn cuff , detached biceps tendon, labrum , the whole works. I could not lift my right arm when I finally went and got surgery. I did everything I was told to help the process. I was told by the Dr. that if I kept doing the things I was doing (tournament softball, motorcycles, etc) to expect to be back in 10 or so years. I was 39 when that was done. I went back to work after 3 days (answered the phones) and back to tournament softball the next season and until I was 47. Full recovery at back doing everything in 4-6 months.
Fast forward to just beyond ten years later and both shoulders needed surgery ( hard enduro/GNCC is hell on a 50 year old body). I got both shoulders fixed again, luckily with a few holes in both shoulders instead of the "full filet" like the first surgery required. I got the right shoulder done in Feb and as soon as I could wipe my butt without pain went and got the left one done a few months later(because screw the insurance company I met my max out of pocket and got my moneys worth). Both were healed and feel like new money after 6 months.
Now here I am at 53 and am going to get knee surgery next week. I have a torn meniscus the, most people chose to have the affected area trimmed or removed. It's a simple surgery that I was told I'd be up and walking after a couple of days. My doctor gave me this option but warned of possible knee issues down the road as essentially you're removing cushion from your knee. He suggested repairing it but the recovery is 6 weeks with zero weight on the knee. After some research I decided to have it repaired. So there's that.
Aside from everything I told you and has already been posted I will tell my experience with pain meds. When I took them with the first surgery I was moving my shoulder way more than I should've. After taking them for 3 days I began to look forward to taking them, this is the beginning of a problem. I stopped taking them on day 4 and only took ibuprofen for swelling. With my later surgeries I took nothing but Ibuprofen as recommend by Dr.. Skip the pain meds altogether, your body hurts for a reason, let it hurt. I imagine you're young, the time required to heal properly is nothing in the scheme of things. You'll be fine.
 
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It's my opinion that just like everything in life, your mindset and the effort that you'll put in are worth their weight in gold when it comes to the result.

I have a really good friend who's a PT. We were grilling yesterday and she mentioned she can tell the difference in outcomes depending on how people approach the sessions.

Give it your all, wholeheartedly and find things that make your brain happy so you keep the positive mindset through the process.

Even if you are super slow, keep tinkering on cars with your good arm. Don't give up on the hobby.

If you like creating / building things, try to pick up CAD and 3D printing. It's amazing what you can make these days !
 
I can say I’ve had 5 rotator cuff surgeries. The most dangerous time in your recovery is when you start feeling better. Nothing hurts, everything feels great until you over do it and you feel it tear back out and surgery number 2 is way worse than the first. 2 of my surgeries are due to this folly on my part. Bear in mind the Dr said I could go do whatever I wanted and was healed! From experience to fully heal from this type of surgery takes 12 months to fully heal. You will feel great around month 6 but from months 7 to 12 you are in real danger of tearing out the surgery. Ask me how I know.
 
Good stuff, guys!

Between my back and this shoulder, I am no stranger to pain. I don't take anything for it, it's just my new normal. Some days are worse than others and it just takes me a little longer to get going in the mornings, which is why I've been on 2nd shift for a while now.

Definitely going to be easy on it so I don't have to get it done twice. That doesn't sound fun at all!
 
Ron said:
Also…deets on the cucv- my name is Ron and I have a problem
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'86 M1008
VE pumped 1st Gen Cummins swap
2nd Gen motor plate, bell housing, and clutch assembly
GM NV4500 with a Dodge input
GM 32 spline, round pattern NP205
Twin stick shifters, not modified for front digs
Stock D60/14 bolt with 4.56s. Detroit rear, LockRight front
40x13.50-17 ProComp MT2s on H2 wheels
Hydro assist
Warn Classic bumper
Warn M12000 winch

I've done some pump mods, a Hamilton 181/210 cam, heavier valve springs, and a 62/71/14 turbo.

Run good, awesome mileage for a 1 ton squarebody on 40s. Not gunna win and beauty contests, but certainly a solid truck. I've got a few things I'd like to fix. Rear brakes, passenger's side window regulator, and a small fuel leak.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
'86 M1008
VE pumped 1st Gen Cummins swap
2nd Gen motor plate, bell housing, and clutch assembly
GM NV4500 with a Dodge input
GM 32 spline, round pattern NP205
Twin stick shifters, not modified for front digs
Stock D60/14 bolt with 4.56s. Detroit rear, LockRight front
40x13.50-17 ProComp MT2s on H2 wheels
Hydro assist
Warn Classic bumper
Warn M12000 winch

I've done some pump mods, a Hamilton 181/210 cam, heavier valve springs, and a 62/71/14 turbo.

Run good, awesome mileage for a 1 ton squarebody on 40s. Not gunna win and beauty contests, but certainly a solid truck. I've got a few things I'd like to fix. Rear brakes, passenger's side window regulator, and a small fuel leak.
Click to expand...
I’ll give you $1200 for it, sight unseen.
 
What a deal 🤣
 
Pt early and often start slow and be very gradual movement is important not strength at first. No alcohol, plenty of meats and green veggies. Diet and exercise play a big role in successful
Recoveries from ortho surgeries. Depending on how you present at the office they may shorten or lengthen the recovery recommendation.
 
I believe they said we'll start PT at 10 days post op.
 
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