Postoperative Shoulder Surgery Instructions

Showering and Your Bandage:

  1. Apply ice to your shoulder to reduce swelling and pain.
  2. You may shower over the plastic bandage on the day after surgery.
  3. You may completely remove the bandage two days after surgery.
  4. You may then shower over the incisions, but do not submerge them under water Š i.e.: not bathtubs or whirlpools.
  5. After showering, reapply bandages over the incision sites to protect them from your clothes.

Arm Sling and Arm Movement:

  • You may remove your arm sling to shower, but leave your arm to your side. You may also bend your body forward and "dangle" your arm like an elephantÕs trunk. This will allow some safe movement until you are seen by myself and physical therapy is prescribed.

Sleeping:

  • You may find that lying flat in bed causes increased pain. If this is the case, you may need to sleep in a reclining chair for some time after your surgery.