Instructions for Shoulder Surgery in Carrollton GA
Preparation for surgery
Most arthroscopic shoulder surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, eliminating the need for a hospital stay. Preparations two weeks prior to your surgery can include:
- Stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and other drugs.
- Asking your health care provider which drugs you can continue to take.
- Telling your surgeon if you have diabetes, heart disease or other medical conditions.
- Telling your health care provider if you drink alcohol and how frequently.
- Stopping smoking since it can slow down healing.
- Letting your health care provider know if any illnesses like the flu, cold, fever etc.
On the day of your surgery you will usually be asked not to drink or eat for 6 to 12 hours before surgery and if necessary, take the approved medications with a small amount of water.
After surgery
Recovery can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months. You may have to wear a sling for a length of time that will be determined by the complexity of your procedure. Pain medication may be prescribed to help control pain. Returning to work or playing sports will depend upon the extent of the surgery and can range from 1 week to several months. For many procedures, physical therapy will be prescribed to help you regain motion and strength.