Thread: Upcoming surgery

Anticipating a rotator cuff surgery which will put my dominate arm (right) out of commission for about 3 months. I do shave like many of you, with both hands, so my left hand could do a lot of the shaving, but the stropping worries me the most. I would have a major problem doing the right sideburns and the right side of my neck with my str8s.

Am I doomed to non straights for the next few months? I would miss them terribly!

I would try it out with the left hand, but don't force it. FWIW I shave two handed, but do opposite sides of my face with each hand: the right hand shaves the left side and the left hand shaves the right side. I am certain that you can do your right side with your left hand.

Stropping would be tough. You might be able to learn to strop left handed... Will your right arm be ok to hold tension on the strop? If you can't strop you might be stuck with something other than a straight.

you could always try a paddle or a bench strop.

If you have a wife or GF you could teach her to strop. She may learn quicker than your left hand would.

Forget stropping, just get lots of shave-ready razors!

But +1 on either learning to strop with your left hand (practice with a dull knife) or getting someone else to strop for you.

Good luck with the surgery and heal up quickly!

Good luck with your surgery, and your recovery. My shoulder surgery was very painful, and the rehab sucked.

I'd definitely work on left handed shaving, and I'd likely get a paddle strop or something because you're not going to feel like doing anything with your dominate hand.

First and foremost: Wish you luck on your surgery and heal fast

Second: I would do DE shaves for a bit. Even if you strop with your left, how are you going to hold that strop taught with your right? Keep it simple for awhile and go DE. All that much to look forward to when you get beck to straights?

Good luck with the surgery. Hint, have your anesthesia provider do an interscalene block to help with the immediate post-op pain. You might consider that when the doc oks use of your arm, stropping and shaving could be viewed as rehab. Maybe a new razor could be considered medical equipment under your insurance plan. Who knows?!

First--- ice packs. Have many ready. Second -- fairly soon after your surgery, it's likely your doctor and your physical therapist will be encouraging movement---ask about stropping, maybe you can get back at it sooner than you think. Too bad it's the dominant side, but it'll come around.

I work with people after that surgury. Do the therapy religously! Lots of ice afterwards will be your friend, and if they tell you to wear a sling to bed, DO IT!