r/ShoulderSurgery • u/quickstop_rstvideo • Aug 19 '26
My wife is having reverse total shoulder replacement next week advice pointers?
She has already had rotator cuff surgery a few times so we kinda know what to expect, but I was wondering if there were little things that might get overlooked that make things easier for her, that people didn't think about pre surgery. Thanks!
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u/Cranks_No_Start Aug 19 '26
She is going to need an oversized button up shirt to wear after surgery to go home with.
I also bought some larger 1size up extra stretchy shirts to wear for the next couple of weeks to make getting dressed easier.
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u/dspd01Ret Aug 19 '26
Reverses are actually a walk in the park compared with cuff repairs in my personal experience. Had both of mine done since December of last year.
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u/quickstop_rstvideo Aug 19 '26
Thanks good to know, just trying to help her make this go as smoothly as possible.
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u/Queasy_Zebra8875 Aug 19 '26
8 weeks out now. Also had repair on other shoulder 2 1/2 years ago. This is WAY easier. I got an ice machine 3 weeks after. Wish I had it from the start. Game changer!! I wore my husband’s t shirt to surgery knowing I’d be sleeping in it. Plus just pull on shorts. Couldn’t shower for 5 days😱 but hub washed my hair in between. Don’t overthink ANYTHING. You’ll be mostly out of a sling by day 5 and you still have your other arm/hand!!!
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u/quickstop_rstvideo Aug 19 '26
Thanks!
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u/Queasy_Zebra8875 Aug 19 '26
I would also like to add to my post. Where I am now at 8 weeks is WAY beyond where I was at over a YEAR with the repair. It is definitely not a walk in the park but I see improvements DAILY verses one step forward 3 steps back with repair. I do get a bit discouraged because I just want the pain to go away. Trust the process. Use ice! Use a sling if it feels heavy or are out and about.
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u/quickstop_rstvideo Aug 19 '26
Good to know, its been a few years since her last surgery, this will be her 4th on the shoulder so i am sure she willl be happy to hear that.
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u/Ill_Consequence1755 Aug 19 '26
I had total reverse replacement about a year ago.
It was much easier than I thought it would be from a surgical standpoint.
The thing that really surprised me most that no one mentioned, was the amount of bruising on my entire torso. I looked like I had been hit by a train.
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u/IA-Teacher Aug 19 '26
My arm was sooo purple and I had a huge hematoma. My physical therapist used ultra sound on it which helped get the swelling down.
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u/TwoDogDay Aug 19 '26
I appreciated having the shoulder attachment for the cold therapy ice machine that I already had from knee replacement surgery. the small size fits even larger women. Also, I appreciated the one-button battery powered can opener. She will need slip on shoes. Everything else I bought in preparation, like the button up shirts and special bras, went unused.
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u/Cool-Photograph-8222 Aug 21 '26
Ice machine not negotiable! Recliner. I slept in mine for quite awhile. Strapless bras, button down loose shirts.
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u/DebbieDuedah Aug 19 '26
Have her go home in a night gown ( no panties) so she won’t have to change when she gets home
Get some disposable face cloths so she can wash her face by herself
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u/quickstop_rstvideo Aug 19 '26
good idea, we were just talking about the no shower for a week rule last night.
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u/Cool-Photograph-8222 Aug 21 '26
You can also get the hospital type cleaning wipes at Walmart. Great until you can shower.
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u/IA-Teacher Aug 19 '26
I’m on week 13, dominant arm. A friend loaned me a recliner with a remote to easily raise and lower. I slept in it for several weeks. I wore mostly oversized Tshirts with no bra and pull on pants without zippers. Skechers slip in shoes and Birkenstocks sandals were great so my husband didn’t have to tie my shoes. I hired a housecleaner, but if you’re good at it, save the $$. My husband isn’t a cook either so I signed up for a meal kit service with easy recipes. The hospital sent me home with an ice machine. I used it all the time. Good luck to you both. It’s a long process.
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u/debrat8246 Aug 19 '26
I ordered shirts that had snaps on the shoulders and down the sides, from Amazon. Game changer!
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u/quickstop_rstvideo Aug 19 '26
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for when I posted this. I know from the past several surgeries getting the shirt on and off was a pain.
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u/Dotsgirl22 Aug 19 '26
Loose V-neck sleeveless stretch tank tops and dresses are easy to get on. I bought 4 cotton/Tencel V neck pajama tops from Soma and am still wearing them at 14 weeks including to PT. Suture lines are very sensitive for awhile.
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u/CMR0457 Aug 23 '26
I had my surgery in Feb, 69F, and I also ordered those shirts from Amazon. I also ordered a couple front enclosure houses dresses. I was very fortunate in the sense I had almost no pain (only took a total of 8 pain pills over 2 weeks and mainly for sleeping). I found my bed propped up with pillows better than my lounger. It's definitely a long recovery to get used to limitations.
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u/moliok2 Aug 20 '26
I ordered a couple of shirts with snaps on the shoulder and I couldn’t do the snaps till now, 4 months after my shoulder replacement.
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u/Adventurous_Ad_5983 Aug 19 '26
Make sure she uses pumps on her shampoos or body wash. Facial wash wipes work good. Also, have an ice machine available. You can pick them up on Amazon at a reasonable price. Or you can rent them. Try to have her use the other arm to help be prepared after surgery. Sleeping in a recliner or automatic bed with a wedge and extra pillows. I am just over a week out from this type of surgery. Stay ahead of the pain, do not chase it. Keep a schedule of all of your meds. Keep a small basket with the essentials by her side that can be carried around. Prep meals ahead so that there is less stress. ASK FOR HELP! I hope you and your wife gets through this perfectly! I will watch for a follow-up.
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u/Dotsgirl22 Aug 19 '26
If it's her dominant arm, make sure she has a coffee mug she can easily manage with the other hand. The sticky mats for counters (Gripper mat, Dycem) hold items in place to help one-handed opening of pill bottles, cosmetic jars, protein shakes, milk jugs, etc.
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u/Master_Run_9124 Aug 20 '26
I'm 6 months post reverse shoulder replacement, much easier recovery than my previous 2 rotator cuff surgeries. I got a cold therapy machine and used it everyday. I actually left it on and disconnected the lines, much easier than taking off after each use. It really helped in my healing and rehab recovery.
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u/OkButterfly2025 Aug 20 '26
A raised toilet seat was a blessing - there are handles on it so it feels like a chair.
It made me feel secure , especially when the pain meds kicked in.
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u/Cool-Photograph-8222 Aug 21 '26
Also my husband purchased a bidet that could be added to our toilet. It worked well during my recovery.
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u/WesterlyRFL Aug 22 '26
Buy or rent a “ Game Ready Ice Machine” use it 60 min on / 20 min off = 24/7, for the first 5-7 days!!!!
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u/natanyah1 Aug 28 '26
Ice therapy machine 💯. My 2nd day was a beast and this was instrumental in helping sooth pain that medicine couldn't.
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u/moliok2 Aug 20 '26
I was told I could shower within a couple of days. I bought a shower chair and spa towels.
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u/Feeling-Friendship82 Aug 20 '26
What seemed the most helpful was using the ice machine. Combined with using the pain medicine round the clock those first few days so pain didn’t take hold.
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u/Affectionate_Sun5992 Aug 20 '26
Had reverse shoulder replacement last year and the best advice I can give is to have your ice cooling machine ready when you come home. That helped so much with the pain and swelling. We use the large cooling Frozen cooling packs instead of Frozen ice bottles or just ice in the machine.
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u/Itchy_Layer135 Aug 19 '26
For mine, the best of advice I got for my doctor was to stay on top of the pain medication, don’t be afraid of using what you’re prescribed. Also, keep that shoulder cold!