Rotator Cuff Surgery & Rehab ❤️‍🩹 - Day 3

My journey recovering from a full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear and SLAP injury in my bicep tendon and labrum tears.
1. Left shoulder, diagnostic arthroscopy
2. Left shoulder arthroscopic supraspinatus repair with double row construct
3. Left shoulder arthroscopic biceps tenodesis
4. Left shoulder arthroscopic subacromial decompression with bursectomy
5. Left shoulder arthroscopic debridement anterior and posterior labrum
6. Left shoulder arthroscopic partial anterior and posterior synovectomy

[@bmacias]

Wow a shower on day 3 is awesome. I have Stiristrip bandages and was told to return to the Dr 2 1/2 weeks after surgery with only bathing until then. I really want to go back to showering but gonna follow the Dr order.

[@AnneSchmidt]

I would do what your doctor recommended. I am sure there is a reason. It was glorious to take a shower and you will soon. I will admit it was tough to shower, but it was nice to be able to. Wishing you positive vibes and healing.

[@johnagresta4062]

Your experience at day three is dead on with mine. I identify with everything you’re describing right down to the sleep, deprivation and pain level. Thanks for sharing your experience. It gave me a heads up on what to expect.

[@AnneSchmidt]

Happy to hear the videos are helpful! It is a challenging recovery and long rehabilitation. I am on my second round back to back years because I just had my right side completely fixed as the left side in this video.

[@fasteagle9959]

@@AnneSchmidtHi Anne. I sent you another message a few mins ago. I just read this and I wanted to check on you and tell you I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to endure. Two major surgeries back to back is horrible. You’ve helped so many people here and I wanted to tell you thank you so much for everything you’ve done and continue to do even after all this time. I want to do that also. I look forward to hearing back from you Anne. Be strong please Anne and may God bless you infinity 🙏 ❤️

[@AnneSchmidt]

@@fasteagle9959thanks for your encouragement and it’s wonderful to hear that my recovery ❤️‍🩹 videos are helping others and you. Not gonna lie, it’s been a tough two years for me with back to back rotator cuff injuries, surgeries, recovery and rehabilitation. In the past 18 months, I haven’t been able to drive for about 4 of them besides all the pain, limitations to my life and exhaustion. That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger … right?! Best wishes and thank you again for your support.

[@swedeminn]

How kind of you to make these awesome videos! THANKS!

[@AnneSchmidt]

Happy to help! It’s cool to see my progress as I’m in week16 now. Those first 6 weeks were tough. But I’m so glad I had the surgery now.

[@swedeminn]

@@AnneSchmidt You are a very kind, devoated and caring person. Thanks for your note too. It is funny but I have lived in the Twin Cities my entire life but never heard of Viterbo University! I have a friend from LaCrosse too. And, I played basketball against Winona State and St Mary's just across the river. I am 66 years old and just had a break golf cart accident. No alcohol involved. My buddy left a club on an earlier hole. We picked it up and while driving back to our shots neither of us saw a sunken 5 foot deep sand trap until the last second. We went in sideways. I broke four ribs and now need to go to a shoulder Ortho so was online looking. Your videos have given me optimism. THANKS I see you are an awesome teacher too!

[@AnneSchmidt]

@@swedeminn thank you and wish you the best in your recovery and rehabilitation. Mind over matter at times helps! Get a mantra that calms and focuses you.

[@riod7559]

I'm on Day 3. I am praying God will send the help I need. I have a friend that is staying with me until Sunday am. I have reached out to a HomeHealth agency as well. My best friend passed away last month suddenly 😢.and she was coming to stay with me next week.

[@AnneSchmidt]

Wishing you the best! The first two weeks are so very challenging. Sorry to hear about your friends passing. Praying you get some help and be patient with yourself. Healing from this takes time.

[@riod7559]

@@AnneSchmidt Thank u

[@nataliekloster2279]

Thank you for all this info I go in Jan 11th 2023..I'm so dreading this surgery

[@AnneSchmidt]

Wishing you well Natalie! I dreaded the surgery also, but I can say I am so happy to have done it now.

[@toryberch]

How's it going Natalie? I'm going in next Wed 🥴

[@TheWorkmanDiaries]

I'm having surgery on 8th Jan ( in the UK ) Quite apprehensive as I live on an island so have to travel 200 miles by air for it!

[@bigtzone4331]

Thanks very helpful.. My surgery is in one week

[@AnneSchmidt]

You got this! It’s so worth it in the long run. Stay positive and patient 😊

[@bigtzone4331]

@@AnneSchmidt How long was your surgery?

[@AnneSchmidt]

@@bigtzone4331 I think about an hour long surgery.

[@Justagirl2222]

How was it changing your t shirt? Did the PT or doctor help, was it painful? I’m on day 2 post op, same surgery

[@AnneSchmidt]

It was very difficult to change shirts. Zip, button or very loose are recommended.

[@sadie4me2]

Can you bend forward after say five days postop? Reason I ask is I have two litter boxes that I need to clean out every day. I can do it with my left arm, but I am concerned about what pressure this might inadvertently put on my right arm, which is where I will have the surgery. Thanks. My main torn muscle is the same one is yours which I’m not gonna try to pronounce or spell here.

[@AnneSchmidt]

I remember leaning forward being not comfortable and a bit painful. I would squat down and scoop the litter slowly at face level. Bending over and scooping in an upwards fashion would be more painful.

[@mikemunoz3235]

Greetings, can you advise the name or maker of the sling you are using for the shower. Thank you. I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks.

[@AnneSchmidt]

I don't remember exactly, but I did get one like this. www.amazon.com/Vive-Mesh-Arm-Sling-Black/dp/B083F2FMCC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=4B975RYJ0MH8&keywords=shower+sling&qid=1674231099&sprefix=shower+sling+%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyU0g1VDk0QVdWNFIyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDEzNTA1M0dRTk5RMU81V0JDMSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDI3OTA3MUFZME5BNDgySzE2TCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[@mikemunoz3235]

@@AnneSchmidt thank you🙏

[@fasteagle9959]

@anneschmidt Hi Anne. How is your shoulder now? Really good I hope 🙏 I was wondering if you mind telling me which pain med they gave you and about how much you took? I’m having surgery this coming Thursday and I’m really nervous. I’m not yet recovered from a major shattered leg surgery from last December and my Orthopedic told me that this is the most painful surgery she performs and that it will be even worse than my leg surgery and I can’t begin to imagine that !! I have 12 screws and 2 plates in my leg. I’m also all alone in a tent camper and I don’t have a chair I can sleep in. (I’m 6’9”) so I’m really nervous about that also because there’s nothing to even grab to pull myself upright in bed with my other arm. I was thinking to put a foam 45 degree wedge and then pillows on top of that so that I’m laying upright. Do you think this will work? I had surgery on my other shoulder 20 years ago, but they don’t perform that type of surgery anymore. They burned my tissue trying to tighten it up because they fall out of socket really easily. (I have Marfan syndrome) So, I’m not sure if this surgery will be worse than that. My ortho just scared the crap out of me because my leg surgery was absolute torture. The pain was indescribable. Being alone and no real house also has me really scared. I also have a dog I’m so worried about. Thank you so much Anne and any woods of advise you can offer me would be soooo greatly appreciated and I’ll be sure I help as many people here on KZbin also. God bless you and I hope you’re doing so good Anne 🙏 ❤️ ~fasteagle

[@AnneSchmidt]

First off, sending you well wishes for a full recovery ❤️‍🩹. I agree, the foam wedge should help. I honestly had two straight days that I did not sleep one minute. And that was with both shoulder surgeries. The pain meds I was given were not helpful for me. The second time around I ended up having an allergic reaction and within one day I didn’t take them. I just had to suffer through the pain minute by minute…day by day. Your orthopedic surgeon is correct. I’ve had many surgeries and recoveries before my shoulder surgeries. And both rotator cuff surgeries take the cake for the worst recovery. I have five anchors in each shoulder. I now know what a 10 feels like on the pain scale. So I guess just be ready for that, but know that you will get through it because I have gotten through it twice. Find things to do to keep your mind busy when you can’t sleep and when you are sleep deprived. And find joy in the simple things that you can do each day. Without my physical therapist, I would not be recovering as well as I have been. So find a good physical therapist. Not sure if this answers all of your questions, so reach out again.

[@fasteagle9959]

@@AnneSchmidt thank you so much for all of that Anne. Wow you’re awesome thank you so much. No pain medicine must have been really horrible!! How are you now Anne? Is your range of motion and pain ok? I sure hope so 🙏 ❤️‍🩹

[@AnneSchmidt]

Sorry for the delay in responding! I’m still in PT for my right shoulder a year post surgery. Getting my shoulders symmetrical in ROM before I weight-lift more. But my athleticism has improved immensely. Getting back to my adventures and athletic passions. How are you doing? Here if you have any questions!

[@kiphani1335]

Scheduled for surgery next month. And trying to determine how much in-home support I will need. Do you have a lot of assistance? Or did you find that you could navigate solo with modifications?

[@AnneSchmidt]

I had someone stay with my for the first two weeks, but you could get away with just week one however week two will be tough. I couldn't drive for 6 weeks so I had to have help with that. I did go back to work week 3-4 and that was not easy but tolerable. I did start driving at week 7 but it was a challenge and I was not super comfortable for many reasons driving very far.

[@toryberch]

Kiphani, how is recovering going? Any tips you'd like to share?

[@reesepup4624]

How do you get that shirt on?

[@AnneSchmidt]

That shirt I had to cut large armholes into to be able to get it on. I had to put one arm in at a time, and with my good arm, taking the shirt over the shoulder as well as the head.

[@reesepup4624]

@@AnneSchmidt Well thanks for all the info. I have one complete full thickness tear in my top tendon and a partial tear in the back area of the shoulder. I go to see the surgeon next Tuesday then get in his schedule I’m really scared that I won’t be able to do anything without hurting or moving my shoulder. My husband is here to help but I’m really scared.

[@AnneSchmidt]

How are things going? Here if you have any questions!