PREOPERATIVE OPTIMIZATION
Prepare Your Body.
Optimize Your Recovery.
Excellent shoulder surgery begins long before you enter the operating room. The weeks leading up to surgery provide an opportunity to improve your nutrition, strength, sleep, medical health, and home environment so your shoulder has the best possible chance to heal.
2–8 Weeks Before Surgery
Better Healing
Whole Body
Preparation
Quick Answer
Patients who prepare for surgery often recover more smoothly. Optimizing nutrition, protein intake, sleep, medical conditions, exercise, smoking cessation, and your home environment creates the best possible foundation for healing.
My 12-Point Shoulder Surgery Preparation Checklist
1. Learn Your Procedure
Understand what surgery you are having and what recovery will realistically involve.
2. Improve Nutrition
Focus on high-quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and hydration.
3. Build Strength
Improve your overall conditioning before surgery whenever possible.
4. Optimize Sleep
Develop healthy sleep habits before surgery.
5. Stop Smoking & Nicotine
Nicotine significantly impairs healing.
6. Control Diabetes
Blood sugar management supports recovery and reduces complications.
7. Review Medications
Discuss prescription medications, supplements, and blood thinners with your care team.
8. Prepare Your Home
Create a safe recovery environment before surgery.
9. Arrange Help
Plan transportation and assistance during the early recovery period.
10. Plan Physical Therapy
Know when therapy begins and what to expect.
11. Prepare Mentally
Understand that recovery is measured in months, not days.
12. Follow Your Surgical Instructions
Your individualized instructions always take priority.
Dr. Streit's Philosophy
The operation is only one day. Recovery lasts for months. Patients who prepare well before surgery often feel more confident, recover more smoothly, and are better equipped to participate in rehabilitation.
Build Your Personalized Recovery Plan
What I Tell Every Patient
"The best surgical outcomes don't happen by accident. They happen when excellent surgery is combined with thoughtful preparation, disciplined rehabilitation, good nutrition, quality sleep, and patience throughout the healing process."
Start Preparing Today
Every healthy choice you make before surgery becomes an investment in your recovery afterward. Preparing now gives your shoulder the best opportunity to heal successfully.
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