Hello, readers! My name is Sandra and I recently underwent a shoulder surgery called an arthroscopic bankart repair.

Now if you're reading this, there's a good chance you're either dealing with a shoulder injury or know someone who is. I‘m eager to share my journey with you. Let me tell you: it was the best decision of my life and I’m writing today to share my experience with you. 

For over ten years, I have lived with a chronic illness that affects my joints and tissues, especially in my shoulders and neck. At 50 years old, I was ready to start planning my upcoming retirement years, not worrying constantly about which daily tasks might dislocate my shoulder. After a particularly painful and inconvenient dislocation that caused me to miss my granddaughter’s graduation, I knew it was time to face the music and schedule the surgery my doctor had been recommending for years.

 

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be medical advice and I am not a doctor. Please consult your physician about your particular needs. 

Taking the Plunge

If you’re like me, you have probably put this off because you're too overwhelmed by the avalanche of questions:

As my operation date approached, I felt incredibly nervous! My friend reminded me that my surgeon had performed this exact procedure thousands of times. In the weeks leading up to the surgery, I packed a bag filled with essentials—comfortable clothing including a front opening bra, an e-reader preloaded with a ton of books, an extra long charging cord, these fuzzy slippers, and my favorite go-to packable snack.

 

Surgery Day

I arrived at the hospital at 5:30am sharp with a list of questions I’d prepared the night before to go over with the surgeon (including what to expect during recovery and some last minute specifics of the procedure itself.) The surgeon was someone I had researched thoroughly and felt comfortable with. His warmth and open communication style eased my nerves. The best thing you can prepare yourself with is a medical team that you feel comfortable with and trust. 

The surgery itself was surprisingly straightforward. While I was under anesthesia, the team worked on repairing my shoulder, and before I knew it, I was waking up in the hospital bed.

 

My First Week of Recovery 

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: the recovery process was challenging and physical therapy is a must. But the weight off my shoulders from the anxiety my shoulder dislocations and pains caused over the past years was such a stark contrast that immediately I knew my shoulder surgery had been the right decision.

 

An Investment in Wellbeing

So now dear reader, here I am just one week post-op. After only a few days, my shoulder is more stable and the recovery pain has waned. Overall, getting this surgery after 10 years of shoulder injuries was the best decision of my life. I am so happy I invested in my wellbeing and can now focus on building a new foundation for my life.