What to Expect at Your First Physical / Occupational Therapy Visit After Shoulder Surgery

Nervous about your first therapy visit after shoulder surgery? You're not alone. As an occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with 30+ years of experience, I'll walk you through what typically happens at that first post-op appointment so you can walk in calm instead of bracing for the worst. In this video: ✔ What to bring, and why your surgeon's protocol matters more than your diagnosis ✔ What the therapist actually does on day one (hint: it's gentler than you think) ✔ Why managing your pain medication can help your therapy sessions go better ✔ The plan you should leave with, and the questions to ask before you go ▶ Next: Avoid These Mistakes After Shoulder Surgery (A Therapist's Perspective) [link] ▶ Full shoulder surgery series: [playlist link] 🔔 Subscribe to Independent By Design for real-world guidance on staying strong, capable and independent as you age. Not just healing. Living well, your way. ⚠️ CHANNEL DISCLAIMER ⚠️ Independent By Design is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information in this channel's videos, descriptions, and comment replies is general in nature and does not constitute medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Watching or interacting with this content does not create a therapist-patient relationship. Content is not tailored to any individual, may not include all information on a topic, and may become outdated as research changes. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider about your own health, and never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you've seen here. Use of this content is at your own risk. Thumbnails created with Canva. This one's for anyone who just had rotator cuff repair, a shoulder replacement or another shoulder surgery, plus anyone helping a loved one recover. #ShoulderSurgery #RotatorCuffRepair #PhysicalTherapy #occupationaltherapy