My mom had rotator cuff surgery, and they realized when they got in that there were 2 tears in the shape of a t. They also had to tighten the cuff and do something else. It ended up being the equivalent of 3 surgeries but all done at one time. She started therapy the day after the surgery and did everything exactly as expected. Since my mom is a widow living alone, she'd been very careful to ask how much care she'd need post-surgery. Her doctor told her to expect some discomfort afterwards and might want someone with her for 3-4 days. I told her that didn't sound right, based on my co-workers surgery. Even pressing the issue with the doctor, he never moved past having someone with her for about a week. What a joke.
My mom was sent home doped up with a pain pump and some ice contraption thing, and the therapy started the next day. Wearing a bra was not an option. If you want some modesty in that area, buy some lightweight firming camisoles to pull on/off. Getting any kind of shirt except something 4 sizes too big and that buttoned down was also a joke. She wasn't able to sleep lying in a bed for months....she slept in the recliner as there was no comfy way to lie down for sleep. Once she was able to lie down, she couldn't roll over.
In terms of care, her cousin stayed 1 1/2 weeks. A few days into it, they let me know she'd need more care. So, I arranged to go up to stay with her for another 2 weeks or so. I felt awful when I had to leave her (3 1/2 weeks post surgery), as she was still so limited in mobility, on pain meds, not really able to drive (on pain meds, mobility and physical discomfort).
Let's see...Despite weeks of daily therapy followed by months of 3 days a week therapy, her shoulder froze. She was literall in so much pain that she was practically suicidal. Thank heavens they prescribed Cymbalta for the depression the shoulder caused, as they were just learning that Cymbalta had pain management properties. Amazingly, that was the first thing to finally take the non-stop pain away, and eventually the shoulder unfroze a bit.
So, when it's all said and done, my mom -- who has had many surgeries -- said it is the most painful surgery she's ever endured and that she would literally rather die than do it again. Unfortunately, her other rotator cuff is going out, and she stands by her "I'd rather die than do it again" stance. Her repaired shoulder is functional, but she cannot lift her arm past shoulder level. So, anything that requires hands above the head -- changing lightbulbs, TSA screeners at airports, etc -- is not something she can physically do.
A lot of people have much better experiences with the surgery than my mom did, as hers was so torn up from arthritis spurs and no one knew. You are probably a lot younger than my mom, which will help in your healihg, too. However, you ARE going to need a LOT of round the clock help for at least several weeks. Best of luck to you with the surgery and your recovery.
