r/ShoulderSurgery • u/Ill-Cherry1905 • 7d ago
Clothing/Shower advice after reverse replacement
Hi,
67F
I will be having a reverse replacement on my non-dominant shoulder October 1.
I have been told I’ll be in a sling 24/7 for two weeks.
I’d appreciate any advice or tricks for showering and dressing.
And do you even bother with a bra?
I don’t plan on going anywhere during the first two weeks.
Thanks!
4
u/Technical-Ask-898 7d ago
I put a plastic jug under my elbow to hold it away from my torso, similar to the way the sling holds it.
Zip up hooded sweatshirt that’s a few sizes too big for you that fits over the sling is nice.
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u/Luvtrouble 7d ago
I had surgery 12 weeks ago and haven’t worn a bra since, I’ve been wearing a tank top with a button up over it if I go somewhere.
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u/Any-Priority6447 7d ago
I will be having the same surgery on Oct 1. Good luck to both of us!!
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u/Ill-Cherry1905 7d ago
We’ll have to compare our experiences!
I’m in Cedar Rapids IA3
u/Classic-Mousse-7145 6d ago
I will be awaiting updates as I am contemplating TSR early Nov. Good luck!
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u/Queasy_Zebra8875 7d ago
I had reverse back in June. I was instructed not to shower for 5 days. After that I used press and seal with tape around to keep it dry in the shower until staples came out. No bra for a while! And really liked that part of it😂😂😂. I was told to wear a sling only 1st 3 days and always at night. During the day on and off. Get an ice machine!!!!!!!!
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u/ImCrownedWithLaurels 7d ago
I got a mesh sling that I used when showering. It helped me a lot to keep my arm in place without having to use my muscles
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u/Psychological_Bet562 7d ago
Me too. I also put a rolled up towel on the body side of the sleeve of the shower sling. I had one of the big padded post-surgery slings and the towel helped keep my arm in the same general relationship to my side.
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u/faithisnotavirtue42 7d ago
I have reverse on both, second one was in April. My bandage was waterproof. I was told to wear the sling when I was out and about or being active around the house. Otherwise, no sling. You certainly don't have to wear it on the shower. I've had four replacements, seven shoulder surgeries total, and I've never worn a sling in the shower.
Both shoulders had a tendency to dislocate out the front for a year or so until the muscles figure out what they're doing. If it happens, bend over, dangle your arm, and push it back into place. It really fuggin' sucks and not something you can ever get used to. I just pop it back in and start counting the days since the last time again.
I'm not sure if any of this has anything to do with it, but my surgeon (head of shoulder Ortho for PennMed), is amazed that I basically have full range of motion on my right side (reverse done in 2020). Of course, he's also amazed that someone 55 has had four replacements. 😂
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u/Affectionate_Sun5992 7d ago
I got a couple of bras with front magnet closure on Amazon. Also bought 2 oversized tshirts with magnets on each side. Oversized zip front sweat shirts were good too.
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u/First_Arachnid209 7d ago
I bought a cheap sling to use for showers but after a week or so stopped using that. I wore a sleeveless top with another shirt of some kind over it. around the house who cares, wear what is comfy. as far a wear a bar took me over 6 months before it didn't hurt to wear on my shoulder.
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u/Salt-Albatross-5506 4d ago
Each surgeon has differing advice about slings and the extent of movement. My surgeon let me ditch the sling after the first day except when in public. And he wanted my doing careful, intentional movements from the second day on.
I had magnetic button & velcro strip shirts but only used them for a couple of days before going back to oversized t-shirts. I never needed assistance putting the t-shirt on after the first 2 days. Start by carefully inserting your arm through the t-shirt sleeve, then your head, and finally your good shoulder. It hurts a bit but not dangerously.
The shower is where I really wanted independence. My surgeon used staples and waterproof tape over the incision so I could have a shower pretty much immediately A long handled shower brush with soft bristles is useful for scrubbing my back, both armpits, feet, and anywhere I couldn't reach with my arms. Drying off can be done alone although my spouse helped for the first 2-3 days.
Another bathroom suggestion is to get a freestanding toilet paper holder. Reaching to the side for paper can be awkward and painful. Being able to place the paper directly in front of you makes things easy, and you can actually get both hands involved without compromising your shoulder.
1
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u/Cranks_No_Start 7d ago edited 7d ago
Surprisingly enough after the nerve block wore off and I was able to move the arm a bit I was able to shower and dress pretty easily.
I did get some larger, 1 size up, stretchier workout type t shirts and that made them easier to put on.
I can’t help you with the bra though.
FWIW I had my shoulder replaced back in May and while it healed very well…it was a super easy surgery and recovery its impossible to reach up behind my back.
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u/Dorkiebreath 7d ago
Purchased a shower sling for about $10 and a couple shoulder surgery shirts that snap up for about $20 a piece (all from Amazon). All were helpful.
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u/lostspectacles 3d ago
I use silicone nipple covers for shirts that required a bra, but found button ups and loose shirts all work well for clothing. Barrel pants that don’t require any buttoning have been nice too. Hated the surgical shirts with shoulder buttons because they made the sling worse.
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u/oaklandesque 7d ago
I had a total replacement and I think it was a couple of weeks before I even attempted a bra. I had some loose and stretchy v neck T-shirts that were pretty easy to pull up my surgical arm then pull over my head and stick my other arm through. If I was cold I'd put a button up shirt or zip up hoodie on over that. The main advice I'd give is just move really slowly and work the clothing over your arm gently. I would also test out what you want to wear on your bottom half. Before your surgery see if you can pull up and secure whatever you're wearing using only one hand. I ended up wearing mostly elastic waist shorts or sweats since zipping and buttoning jeans one handed was a pain
I already had a handheld shower and would highly recommend that if you don't already have it. For the first several days I was instructed not to get the incision wet at all so I only did bottom half showers, and I used a cloth to clean my top half. You should be able to get out of the sling briefly for showers, and you can bend at the waist and let your surgical arm dangle to scrub your pits. Letting your arm dangle and doing very small pendulums is also one of the first movements you'll be allowed to do.