+ What do I do with my dressing?

• Cover it when you shower for the first 3 days and change it if it gets wet or dirty. You can remove the dressing after day 3.
• You might have a small incision in your armpit. If so, that dressing waterproof, but if water gets underneath you should change it. You can remove the dressing after day 3-5.
• Leave the Steri-strips in place until they fall off on their own.

+ What are my restrictions?

• No lifting anything with this arm for 6 weeks
• Wear your sling for comfort and when out in public

+ Do I have stitches? When do they come out??

• You have a few stitches, usually 3-6, that will be taken out at your first post-operative visit. Don’t worry, they don’t hurt when they come out!

+ Can I put lotions or anything on my incisions?

• No. Please do not put any lotions, creams, oils, antibiotic ointments or anything on the incisions until they are perfectly healed and the scab is gone.

+ When can I shower?

• You can shower immediately if you cover the dressing for the first 3 days. After 3 days, you can remove the dressing and let the water run down over the incisions. DO NOT scrub the incisions or submerge them underwater.

+ How long do I wear my sling?

• For a few weeks, wear it for comfort

+ Can I take my sling off?

• Yes, you should wear your sling for comfort and when you go out in public but you don’t need it on at all time.

+ What do I take for pain?

• You will be given a prescription for narcotic pain medication after surgery (usually Percocet/Oxycodone).
• However, Ibuprofen and Tylenol work great. You can take start taking Ibuprofen every 8 hours starting immediately after surgery to minimize the amount of narcotic you will need to take as long as you have no stomach ulcer issues, kidney issues, and you are not on any blood thinners.
• The Percocet has 325 mg of Tylenol in it already, so if you are taking Tylenol, just be sure that you do not exceed 3000 mg of it in a 24 h period.

+ What medications will I be on?

• Aspirin - to prevent blood clots. Take daily for about 3 weeks
• An opioid for pain, usually Percocet (Oxycodone)
• Zofran - for nausea
• Colace - stool softener

+ Will I have a nerve block?

• Yes
• The nerve block usually lasts 1-3 days and wears off slowly

+ Do I need to wear my brace when I sleep?

• Not necessarily, but it might be more comfortable at first couple of weeks.
• Many people find it most comfortable to sleep in a recliner or build a pillow ramp to sit up more in bed.

+ When do I follow up after my surgery?

• Between 7-14 days afterwards. This appointment should already be made for you, but you can adjust it if needed.

+ When should I start going to physical therapy?

• Immediately, the sooner the better. You will have all the paperwork you need for PT when you leave the hospital.
• You will have all the paperwork you need for PT when you leave the hospital.

+ How long will I be going to physical therapy?

• For about 1-4 months

+ How frequently do I need to go to physical therapy?

• 1-3 times/week initially, but this will be spaced out over time as you progress.

+ What are some red flags after my surgery that I should be looking for?

• Fever over 101.4 F
• Calf swelling or severe calf pain
• Increasing redness around the incision
• Pus draining from the incision. It is normal for some drainage from the incisions for a few days after surgery.
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

+ How long is the recovery?

• As a general rule, you will be feeling good at the 6 week mark and really good at the 3 month mark. Full recovery is anywhere between 3-6 months.

+ When can I sleep on my side?

• You can sleep on your side after that as soon as it feels comfortable to do so.

+ When can I swim?

• You CANNOT get into a pool or hot tub until your incisions are perfectly healed, usually around 4 weeks. After that, you may get into a pool but check with us or PT before swimming.

+ When can I run?

• You will work with us and your physical therapist to determine this, but it’s usually around 6 weeks.

+ When can I return to sports?

• You will work with us and your physical therapist to determine this, but it’s usually around 3 months.

+ When can I drive?

• When you are out of the sling and off pain medication. Be sure to practice before driving again.
• This can be at least 6 weeks after the operation.

+ When can I type on a computer?

• You are allowed to come out of your sling and type on a computer in a comfortable position starting immediately.

+ When can I go back to work?

• Depends on your job. If you can perform your job while abiding by the restrictions, you can go back as soon as you feel able to.
• We recommend not making any important decisions while on the pain medication.