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In most cases, the sling/ immobilizer is used to protect your arm in the early stages after surgery and is required. If your procedure does not require the use of the sling/ immobilizer you will receive specific instructions.

If therapy is necessary, it will usually begin sometime after your first post-operative visit. Your surgeon will inform of your physical therapy start date during your first post-operative visit. Therapy can be done anywhere that is convenient and paid for by your insurance. A list of facilities is available. 

You are not permitted to drive while you are taking narcotic pain medications. We do not recommend that you drive while the sling is required. Once you have been instructed that the sling is no longer required, you must wait until you have adequate strength and range of motion to drive. We recommend you test your driving ability in an empty parking lot with supervision until you determine whether or not you can drive safely.

If you have white tape on your shoulder, you may remove the dressing and take a shower.  If you have a clear dressing over your incision, you may remove it 2 days after surgery. You may allow the shoulder to get wet, but do not allow the water to hit you directly on the incisions. No immersion in the water is allowed until 21 days post op. This means no soaking in a bathtub, hot tub, whirlpool, or swimming in a pool or ocean!