Rotator cuff surgery scheduled in one month - anyone else go through something similar?

Fat Ass 101

Fat Ass 101

Member
Listen, I suck at this, but I trust the advice on these threads. I'm not a bodybuilder, I am an overweight 50+ y/o who is trying his damnedest to make up for 20, probably more like 30 years of bad decisions where it came to my body and my health, whether it be work related restrictions or mental health wise, or lack of time and interest. I am now in a spot where I am working from home, I have the time to put in the effort I always wanted to and my body has rejected my latest offerings of reconciliation. The shoulder pain, after two separate bouts of Physical Therapy, has finally had my insurance authorize an MRI (who knew these were so complicated to get scheduled) and it revealed a complete tear in my left (non-dominant arm). What I am looking for is any advice, or articles, or any print or video that you know to be helpful, or directions in sorting through all the **** online as far as some type of workout schedule leading into the surgery and even more importantly, rehab after the surgery. I am not a fan of pain medication as I fear over reliance and addiction consequences, but I have been instructed that I need to prepare to be in a world of **** for some time after the surgery. I expect that there will be another round of PT, but is there anything I can do a month prior to be better prepared besides getting my diet in order, which is in progress (down 10 lbs in 30 days just in diet and some walking) or anything anyone hear went through rehabbing afterwards. Is there any type of rehab community in the AM world I can become a part of? I am all ears, looking to learn from folks that have done this, either what you did, or what you wish you did differently.

Cheers,
 
I have been through this a couple of times.
Is it a complete tear of the supraspinatus?
Its best to get the shoulder as conditioned as possible pre-surgery.
Basically following post surgery re-hab protocol to whatever level your at.
Pre-surgery last time around (54 yrs old), I was repping fairly heavy dumbells and doing tons of banded front, lateral raises and other rotator cuff specific exercises, push ups and upper back work, but I am not you. Your physio person is probably the best person to line you up with what movements you should be doing. Which are probably whatever physical therapy exercises you were doing (if any yet), but at a level where its challenging, but does not cause too much inflammation or pain and that you can recover from - so you can do these movements again in the next day or two.
As well, get prepared for post surgery. Sleeping is difficult. I recommend a lazy boy for a good couple of months before transitioning back to the bed. You very most likely will not be able to find comfort in bed no matter what you do. Since its your left arm, you will still be able to use the reclining handle. Get your cry-cuff ice device and get the shoulder cryo-cuff aircast fitted and get your shoulder sling fitted and ready. If you don't want to get fat, plan how your gonna eat good food. Don't try to diet at this time or for a few months. Your body will need the calories to fix the repair. After a couple of weeks, get walking. You have to follow the surgeon post rehab recommendation which will taylored to you. Don't seek online advice for this. This is a good opportunity for a reset to how you would like things to be going for yourself health wise - taking small patient steps.
 
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botk1161 said:
I have been through this a couple of times.
Is it a complete tear of the supraspinatus?
Its best to get the shoulder as conditioned as possible pre-surgery.
Basically following post surgery re-hab protocol to whatever level your at.
Pre-surgery last time around, I was repping fairly heavy dumbells and doing tons of banded front, lateral raises and other rotator cuff specific exercises, push ups and upper back work, but I am not you. Your physio person is probably the best person to line you up with what movements you should be doing. Which are probably whatever physical therapy exercises you were doing (if any yet), but at a level where its challenging, but does not cause too much inflammation or pain and that you can recover from - so you can do these movements again in the next day or two.
Click to expand...
botk1161 said:
I have been through this a couple of times.
Is it a complete tear of the supraspinatus?
Its best to get the shoulder as conditioned as possible pre-surgery.
Basically following post surgery re-hab protocol to whatever level your at.
Pre-surgery last time around, I was repping fairly heavy dumbells and doing tons of banded front, lateral raises and other rotator cuff specific exercises, push ups and upper back work, but I am not you. Your physio person is probably the best person to line you up with what movements you should be doing. Which are probably whatever physical therapy exercises you were doing (if any yet), but at a level where its challenging, but does not cause too much inflammation or pain and that you can recover from - so you can do these movements again in the next day or two.
As well, get prepared for post surgery. Sleeping is difficult. I recommend a lazy boy for a good couple of months before transitioning back to the bed. You very most likely will not be able to find comfort in bed no matter what you do. Since its your left arm, you will still be able to use the reclining handle. Get your cry-cuff device and get the shoulder cryo-cuff aircast fitted and get your shoulder sling fitted and ready. After a couple of weeks, get walking etc....
Click to expand...
it’s a complete tear. Ive been struggling just washing my hair or putting on a shirt and it has gotten worse the last 3-4 months. If I accidentally roll over and sleep on it I regret it most of the next day. I wasn’t given any type of plan leading up to the surgery so I’ve been doing mostly cardio and legs, avoiding the shoulder as much as I can. If that is wrong I am all ears. I’ve received no clear pre surgery instructions on what I should and shouldn’t be doing.
 
See my comments above. I would see your physio person to see if there is anything you can do to condition the shoulder. Every little bit will help - even if its only for a few weeks. The surgeon won't tell you this part - they will only provide post surgery protocol.
 
botk1161 said:
See my comments above. I would see your physio person to see if there is anything you can do to condition the shoulder. Every little bit will help - even if its only for a few weeks. The surgeon won't tell you this part - they will only provide post surgery protocol.
Click to expand...
I tried some lifting. Curls was about all I could do. Nothing that required any lifting of my arm was possible. Maybe after the surgery I'll be able to throw a baseball 160mph like that kid in the movie.
 
I've torn the rotator cuff twice, no surgery
I did destroy my clavicle which was a surgery and steel plate. ACL is long gone on my left side, no surgery. a ligament in my back and a few other injuries that I tell over beers when girls are listening.

When Layne tore his pec he became a leg beast and squatted like crazy. in the mean time I'd think you can still hit leg press, ext, curls, etc. the more work you put in now, the better your entire body will recover. This was my wife's approach last fall before she had a mastectomy and that women was off narcotics within 24hrs, flushing a 10 day rx so if that's a concern of yours, that's what a 51yr old woman did.

I would interview PT's to be honest. find a PT that is focused on athletes. not one thats focused on getting you from the couch to the fridge. build a team that wants to get you into the shape you want to be in.

Might consider changing your forum name as well to something that feeds the beast you are building . you got this! 🤘🤘🔥
 
Fat Ass 101 said:
Listen, I suck at this, but I trust the advice on these threads. I'm not a bodybuilder, I am an overweight 50+ y/o who is trying his damnedest to make up for 20, probably more like 30 years of bad decisions where it came to my body and my health, whether it be work related restrictions or mental health wise, or lack of time and interest. I am now in a spot where I am working from home, I have the time to put in the effort I always wanted to and my body has rejected my latest offerings of reconciliation. The shoulder pain, after two separate bouts of Physical Therapy, has finally had my insurance authorize an MRI (who knew these were so complicated to get scheduled) and it revealed a complete tear in my left (non-dominant arm). What I am looking for is any advice, or articles, or any print or video that you know to be helpful, or directions in sorting through all the ** online as far as some type of workout schedule leading into the surgery and even more importantly, rehab after the surgery. I am not a fan of pain medication as I fear over reliance and addiction consequences, but I have been instructed that I need to prepare to be in a world of ** for some time after the surgery. I expect that there will be another round of PT, but is there anything I can do a month prior to be better prepared besides getting my diet in order, which is in progress (down 10 lbs in 30 days just in diet and some walking) or anything anyone hear went through rehabbing afterwards. Is there any type of rehab community in the AM world I can become a part of? I am all ears, looking to learn from folks that have done this, either what you did, or what you wish you did differently.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
Good luck. I recently had a partial tear in my trotator cuff it finally healed up after about 5/6 months and it fkn sucked. I was fearing surgery. I work with three people who this rotator cuff surgery. I was told it’s brutal and uncomfortable and takes 6-12 months to fully heal. Lots of PT. Yeah sucks bro
 
Roy Natty Gas said:
Good luck. I recently had a partial tear in my rotator cuff it finally healed up after about 5/6 months and it fkn sucked. I was fearing surgery. I work with three people who this rotator cuff surgery. I was told it’s brutal and uncomfortable and takes 6-12 months to fully heal. Lots of PT. Yeah sucks bro
Click to expand...
Thanks.. I am dreading it but it has gotten progressively worse to where it hurts when I am not even using it, more of a dull pain but it used to not bother me at all unless I was doing something with it.. And I somehow rolled over and slept on it last night and its been really bad today...It's like I needed to stretch it out but when I try it doesn't do anything.
 
I had mine and several other surgeries over the last few years due to a fall.
 
botk1161 said:
I have been through this a couple of times.
Is it a complete tear of the supraspinatus?
Its best to get the shoulder as conditioned as possible pre-surgery.
Basically following post surgery re-hab protocol to whatever level your at.
Pre-surgery last time around (54 yrs old), I was repping fairly heavy dumbells and doing tons of banded front, lateral raises and other rotator cuff specific exercises, push ups and upper back work, but I am not you. Your physio person is probably the best person to line you up with what movements you should be doing. Which are probably whatever physical therapy exercises you were doing (if any yet), but at a level where its challenging, but does not cause too much inflammation or pain and that you can recover from - so you can do these movements again in the next day or two.
As well, get prepared for post surgery. Sleeping is difficult. I recommend a lazy boy for a good couple of months before transitioning back to the bed. You very most likely will not be able to find comfort in bed no matter what you do. Since its your left arm, you will still be able to use the reclining handle. Get your cry-cuff ice device and get the shoulder cryo-cuff aircast fitted and get your shoulder sling fitted and ready. If you don't want to get fat, plan how your gonna eat good food. Don't try to diet at this time or for a few months. Your body will need the calories to fix the repair. After a couple of weeks, get walking. You have to follow the surgeon post rehab recommendation which will taylored to you. Don't seek online advice for this. This is a good opportunity for a reset to how you would like things to be going for yourself health wise - taking small patient steps.
Click to expand...

This is the best advice. I now have limited usage as my surgeon explained. Excessive scar tissue happens. 2 years + later I’m still working on being able to pass 90 degrees without help.
 
cheftepesh1 said:
This is the best advice. I now have limited usage as my surgeon explained. Excessive scar tissue happens. 2 years + later I’m still working on being able to pass 90 degrees without help.
Click to expand...
I found a palm down very light / hi rep lower cable front raise - out to the side with the pinky side of the hand kept “up” - really opened up the shoulder (permanently) busting up allot of scar tissue. If it’s difficult and u can feel scar tissue trying to stop you - while doing this, your doing it right! Keep repping. All the best
 
botk1161 said:
I found a palm down very light / hi rep lower cable front raise - out to the side with the pinky side of the hand kept “up” - really opened up the shoulder (permanently) busting up allot of scar tissue. If it’s difficult and u can feel scar tissue trying to stop you - while doing this, your doing it right! Keep repping. All the best
Click to expand...
I've been slowly working on it over the last few months. I have a issue with disc and nerve damage ass well, so movement is slow. At least after the last few procedures I'm able to slowly get back into the gym. Its mentally tough as well as you do all the work and loose it from something out of your control. Was given little choice as I had to be able to continue working.
 
cheftepesh1 said:
I've been slowly working on it over the last few months. I have a issue with disc and nerve damage ass well, so movement is slow. At least after the last few procedures I'm able to slowly get back into the gym. Its mentally tough as well as you do all the work and loose it from something out of your control. Was given little choice as I had to be able to continue working.
Click to expand...
Keep up the good work!
 
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