A few days before shoulder surgery
The operating room scheduling team will call you two to three days before your surgery. They will tell you what time to check in to the hospital. Most often you will need to be at the hospital at least two hours before your scheduled surgery time.
Please note there may be some delay if the surgery before yours takes longer than expected. Sometimes the surgery before yours will cancel and finish ahead of schedule. Either way, please be sure to check in on time.
On the day of shoulder surgery
When you get to the hospital you will go through check-in. A nurse will go over your records and start an IV.
Anesthesia concerns
A member of the anesthesia team will meet with you to talk about options and any anesthesia concerns. Your surgery will be done under general anesthesia, meaning you will go to sleep. The anesthesiologist also may offer a regional block if they think it is safe for you. This is an injection of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) or the placement of a catheter near the nerves at the base of the neck. Blocks help control your pain after surgery. The anesthesiologist will talk with you about the risks and help you decide if you want a block.
Length of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty surgery
Your surgery will last about two to three hours, but this can change based on how complex it is. If you have family with you, they should wait in or near the waiting room. Your doctor will talk with them after your surgery to let them know it is done and how things went. Your belongings will be stored in a locker in the pre-operative area. Please leave valuables at home or with family.
Waking from shoulder surgery
When you wake from surgery you will be in the post-operative recovery room. Unfortunately, family cannot be in that area. After you are stabilized and comfortable, you will go to your room on the orthopedic unit and be able to see your family. This will be about one to three hours after surgery. The orthopedic unit is in the Carver Pavilion (Elevator E, Level 3). Most rooms are semi-private or have two beds. Family is welcome to visit with you while you are in the hospital.