Procedure prep
Fasting Before Rotator Cuff Surgery
Rotator cuff repair fixes torn tendons in the shoulder, usually as keyhole day surgery under general anesthesia — very often with a nerve block that numbs the whole arm for hours afterward. Planning for a sling and one-handed life helps a lot.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) before surgery unless approved — they can increase bleeding (and some surgeons limit them after, for tendon healing).
- Diabetes medicines & insulin need a fasting-day plan. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water.
- Tell your team about any recent steroid injection into the shoulder.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Any skin break, rash, sore or infection on the shoulder or arm
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- Feeling generally unwell on the day
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, doses, and allergies
- Your shoulder MRI or scan and any clinic letters or pre-op tests
- A loose, front-opening top that goes on over a sling
- A ride home and some help at home for the first days
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have a nerve block, and how long will my arm stay numb?
- How long will I be in a sling, and when can I move the shoulder?
- When does physiotherapy start?
- Can I use anti-inflammatory painkillers, or are they limited for healing?
- Which of my medicines do I take or hold that morning?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Why will my whole arm be numb after shoulder surgery?
Many shoulder operations use an interscalene nerve block, which numbs the nerves to the arm for pain relief. It's very effective but means your arm may be completely numb and heavy for many hours — that's expected. Keep it supported in the sling and protected until full feeling returns, and start regular painkillers before the block wears off.
How long will I be in a sling after rotator cuff repair?
Often several weeks, because the repaired tendon needs protecting while it heals to the bone. The exact time and how soon you start moving the shoulder depend on the tear and your surgeon's protocol. Physiotherapy is gradual and important — going too fast risks the repair.
Can I take ibuprofen after rotator cuff surgery?
Some surgeons limit anti-inflammatory painkillers after tendon repairs because of concerns they may affect healing. Beyond the usual bleeding reason to pause them before surgery, ask your surgeon specifically what pain relief they recommend afterward.