You and your surgeon will meet before surgery to check on your medical condition and discuss your concerns. Be sure to bring a list of all the medications you are taking, including nonprescription medicines and supplements. In preparation for surgery, you may be asked to:

• lose weight
• quit smoking
• discontinue certain medications temporarily
• donate blood for a possible transfusion during surgery
• not schedule urologic or dental procedures (teeth cleaning, cavity repairs, or oral surgery) within 2 weeks of your shoulder surgery

If you are planning to have a shoulder replacement, you’ll want to prepare your home before you go in for surgery so it will be comfortable and safe when you get home from the hospital. A little time spent now will make your return home much easier

Making a home "recovery friendly" is easy. A good rule of thumb is to think safety first, and then comfort. Remove throw or area rugs that may cause you to slip. Also, phone and electric cords should be securely fastened around the outside walls of the room. Some suggestions for home preparation include:

• Eliminate clutter. Clear countertops and organize items you use daily within arm's reach. Install slide-out shelving, adjustable rods, baskets, and other closet organizers
• Rearrange furniture to clear traffic paths in the house
• Secure floor mats with non-skid backing. Repair loose carpeting. Mark changes in floor levels in some obvious way (bright, non-skid tape)
• Check stairways. Are there handrails? Are the rails secure?
• Add a couple of nightlights, at least in your bedroom

Give the bathrooms a close look. With joint replacement of the shoulder, you will, for a time, have limited flexibility or mobility.

Consider:

• Installing grab bars in the shower or by the tub, in addition to the toilet for safety and support
• An elevated toilet seat
• Adding a bath/shower seat or transfer bench
• Replacing fixed shower heads with hand-held shower heads
• Use non-skid mats or adhesive strips in the bathtub

Arrange for a relative or friend to drive you to the hospital. The surgery typically takes several hours. You will awaken after surgery in the post-anesthesia recovery room, where your breathing, blood pressure, and pulse will be monitored while the anesthesia wears off. A sling will support your arm and a cold compress on your shoulder will help minimize inflammation. Postoperative pain control begins in the recovery room.

Set up a recovery center. Choose a space where you will spend most of your time during the day – a favorite easy chair, or perhaps the sofa. If necessary, move an end table or TV tray table next to the chair or sofa. Gather items that you might like to have within reach: a phone, TV/VCR/DVD/stereo remote controls, a box of tissues, a wastebasket, and reading material. When you begin home recovery, add such things as reading glasses and/or a contact lens case, medications, instructions from the doctor, and an address book or list of often-called phone numbers. Set up other recovery centers in the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and any other room where you spend time.

Shop before surgery for those things that will make your life easier. Some examples may include:

• A long-handled sponge
• A grabbing or reaching tool
• A footstool
• A big-pocket shirt or a soft shoulder bag for carrying things
• Select loose-fitting clothing that is easy to put on and remove with one hand

The Arthritis Foundation also provides a helpful list of assistive devices and suppliers.Completing these home safety tasks before your surgery will help safeguard you from accidents and hazards. In addition, your different recovery centers will make you more comfortable as your body recovers from surgery.