Rotator cuff surgery and shaving

So Wed. I'm going I'm for rotator cuff surgery on my dominant arm, I have a full thickness tear of my supraspinatus tendon. I was wondering if anyone has gone through similar and still used a straight while their arm was immobilized.

I know I'm not going to be able to use my hanging strop, so I wanted some advice on another route. I have not stropped with my left hand yet so I want to take into account the lack of muscle memory too.

Would a paddle strop be a good option or would a bench strop be better?

I don't feel I'll have much of a problem with the shave itself because at some point in every shave I use both hands on either side of my face.

Thanks for any advice.

I'd go with a bench strop. And start slow to reinforce muscle memory. And, as always, watch the pressure exerted. As light as possile for best results.

Most surgeons will recommend you do not lift your arm above 90 degrees for quite a while so I wonder how you are going to pull the skin taut. And don't be foolish and ignore that advice or you risk seriously scr*wing up the result of the surgery. With shoulders you do not usually get a second chance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kees

Most surgeons will recommend you do not lift your arm above 90 degrees for quite a while so I wonder how you are going to pull the skin taut. And don't be foolish and ignore that advice or you risk seriously scr*wing up the result of the surgery. With shoulders you do not usually get a second chance.

---

The surgeon told me I would be immobilized for 6 weeks then it will be 3 to 4 months of no raising it above shoulder lever.

I am already aware stretching the skin will be an issues too so it will be more so just to knock the majority of the hair off.

Sorry you are going to be in such a pickle. I hope you heal fast.

Sorry for your issues.

I have tried to strop and shave while healing from hand/carpal surgery. The results were not good as I:
1. Ruined a good strop
2. Did not get good shaves
3. Shaving one-handed is not for me

My advice is use a DE until the healing is complete. Ruined equipment and possibly skin laceration is not worth the risk.

Now, if I am on pain pills I don't ever try to shave with a SR but get out the Gillette Adj and reflect back on my teen years.

Good luck with operation.

I didn't even think about the pain relievers. I may have to wait until I at least stop taking them. Dilaudid and percocet may make for a bad shave. I am quite tolerant to pain so I will probably only use them for a week or so.

I also do not want to develop dependency to them, having a history of addiction (8 years sober).

Back in '04 I took a fall @ 21mph off of my bicycle, on asphalt, and broke my collar bone. I was out of work for 5 weeks and not sure how long it was a hassle to shave. I'm pretty sure I went DE for the duration. I was fortunate that it was not my dominant right hand.

AFAIC in straight razor shaving stretching is essential, so with one hand immobilized I'd suggest a DE, or maybe a 'Good News' disposable. Hope you have a complete recovery. :gl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by meleii

I didn't even think about the pain relievers. I may have to wait until I at least stop taking them. Dilaudid and percocet may make for a bad shave. I am quite tolerant to pain so I will probably only use them for a week or so.

I also do not want to develop dependency to them, having a history of addiction (8 years sober).

---

I was on Dilaudid when I ruined a great strop. Stay away from blades until you are completely healed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Back in '04 I took a fall @ 21mph off of my bicycle, on asphalt, and broke my collar bone. I was out of work for 5 weeks and not sure how long it was a hassle to shave. I'm pretty sure I went DE for the duration. I was fortunate that it was not my dominant right hand.

AFAIC in straight razor shaving stretching is essential, so with one hand immobilized I'd suggest a DE, or maybe a 'Good News' disposable. Hope you have a complete recovery. :gl:

---

The rotator cuff is one of the most common problems with ironworkers nowadays, especially doing primarily rods and welding.

Im going to take everyone's advice and go with a DE.

Thank you everyone.

I've been on pain meds for the last 10 years as a result of a Dr putting a screw thru a NERVE in my spine and leaving it. I wouldn't worry about shaving make sure you get a good Dr. Check and see if he has been sued for Mal Practice which is a legal joke the only winner is the Lawyer because your hurt forever the Dr looses nothing he moves to another state and keeps on doing the same thing.

So on 30 AUG 13 I have a tumbling 25-30 Feet per second encounter with the pavement and I don't pop up like a stuntman, if you know what i mean.
(Me- Bike, them-texting instead of stoping at the stop sign - and flee the scene)
I wake up 8 hours later in a trauma room and the SWMBO says I have been using the Mommy Dog word as a noun, pro-noun, adjective, verb etc. among other things.
Upper (weak side) arm is fractured 2x just below the joint, blind luck I don't need pins but I am out for a month.
I just checked the shave journal and I have a 30 day gap...no notes. The first note is on day 30: "HS (Hart Steel) 7/8 SPS (Square point satin), MdC "just had to drag it out...not bad...but touch up with DE"
4 days later I try again, ambitious and I try a Brian Brown Kamisori - note says "too early for this"
It takes a month of on and off, Straights, Feathers, DE, Carts when I travel to get back.

The good news?
When I start PT they can't believe that I can reach over my head and touch my jaw with my good arm.
They ask: "you are in your 50's, how can you do that?"
I explain that I shave with a Straight, and do that to stretch the skin.
And I end up getting my Physical Therapist started with vintage Gillette, blade assortment, soaps, creams and a basic brush.
And getting back in to shaving with a straight becomes part of my therapy.

So don't do any harm, give yourself time to heal but plot your return like Joey Bag O Donuts in the middle of the Mob war...

To your speedy recovery...

Meleii, all the best to you during and after your surgery. You will have support here so kindly keep us tuned in. Good decision the DE.

Best of luck with the surgery and recovery.
Once you get recovered a bit, a bench strop is probably the easiest to use with only one arm or hand.

Is Halle Berry free.....

I've had three shoulder surgeries (2rt - 1lt) for tears, split tendons, bone spurs and, other joint damage. 40 years of electrical linework, climbing and, jacking wire the size of you wrist with six ton hoists took its toll.

Take it slow and easy like the surgeons say. I about ripped my first one apart by being stupid. When the time comes rehab that thing to death and then rehab it some more. Hopefully you don't loose too much range of motion but that can be gotten around with time and work. I went back to heavy linework and climbing after two of them so it can be done. Give yourself a good year plus before you start being critical of what you left with.

I stayed heavily drugged the first couple of days and just sleep through the worst of it. The bone work takes the longest to get over but it does pass. The best part is I'm finally pain free after the third one (3yrs ago now). It feels so go good when it stops let me tell ya.

I have seen a picture of someone clipping the handle end of a hanging strop to one of the belt loops of their trousers, it worked for them.

Just pulled the trigger on a double oc from Phoenix accoutrements, and while I was at it some MDC.

I tore my RC cuff 10 yrs ago,never had it repaired,is sore on occasion but has no effect on range of motion.

I hope I am not to late to stop you from the first surgery. I personally have had mine worked on three times, with a fourth probably this summer, and I can tell you I was way better off before the first one. As for shaving with a straight, if you do it right and listen to the Dr. you wont even feel like shaving for the first two weeks. When they tell you to hold it still and take painkillers...do it. After the first few weeks, you should be able to start moving it and a very slow stroping motion on a paddle is just about the right motion. Please, do not force your arm to try and shave with a straight, not because of pain but it is unsafe. Your arm has been held still and a primary muscle has been injured and you will find it doesn't work like you remembered. In a few weeks it will be way closer to usable just be patient. Stick to a DE and use the strop, and brush as therapy.

Truly best wishes and hopes of a speedy recovery if you go threw with it..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I tore my RC cuff 10 yrs ago,never had it repaired,is sore on occasion but has no effect on range of motion.

---

I have been letting mine go for around 2 years now. The surgeon is saying I have less than one mm of tendon connected yet and it could snap at any minute. But regardless I'm not looking forward to it.

Starting Wednesday I have a medically suspended licence which I have already received the paperwork from DOT stating I must surrender my licence until released by my DR.

I grew a beard after my RC repair.

I had the same tear as you, plus two other high grade tears and two complete disconnections... On my dominant side. Recover sucked. Using a straight razor was out of the question.