reverse shoulder replacement - can I swim afterward ??

Thanks for the good feedback. The reverse replacement is a relatively new ( about 10 yrs old) procedure and I was hoping to find a competitive masters swimmer who has had that done. Since the ball and socket will be on opposite sides of where they are now, the shoulder joint will work differently. I swam 29 miles in January, and averaged about 25 miles a month thru June this year. Now I can't lift a gallon jug of milk with my right arm. I saw ortho surgeon again today. Got some more clarification. He was much more upbeat about possibility of swimming. He has had patients return to swimming after this surgery. But I will have to be careful. Shoulder will be in an immobilizing sling for 4-6 weeks, then if I'm progressing, I can get back in the water but only kick for a while. There will be post-op therapy which will ultimately determine when I can actually swim. Looking at 4-6 months rehab. This doctor is my second opinion and was recommended by physical therapist as the best in town. The first orthopedic surgeon I saw was a lot like yours. He said " I can't do anything for you. Play the hand you've been dealt. Come back in 3 weeks. (Huh ?) " . I interpreted it to mean "you're too old to be doing the things you are doing. Stop and live with the pain you have caused yourself. Come back in 3 weeks so I can get more of your money".

Thanks for the good feedback. The reverse replacement is a relatively new ( about 10 yrs old) procedure and I was hoping to find a competitive masters swimmer who has had that done. Since the ball and socket will be on opposite sides of where they are now, the shoulder joint will work differently. I swam 29 miles in January, and averaged about 25 miles a month thru June this year. Now I can't lift a gallon jug of milk with my right arm. I saw ortho surgeon again today. Got some more clarification. He was much more upbeat about possibility of swimming. He has had patients return to swimming after this surgery. But I will have to be careful. Shoulder will be in an immobilizing sling for 4-6 weeks, then if I'm progressing, I can get back in the water but only kick for a while. There will be post-op therapy which will ultimately determine when I can actually swim. Looking at 4-6 months rehab. This doctor is my second opinion and was recommended by physical therapist as the best in town. The first orthopedic surgeon I saw was a lot like yours. He said " I can't do anything for you. Play the hand you've been dealt. Come back in 3 weeks. (Huh ?) " . I interpreted it to mean "you're too old to be doing the things you are doing. Stop and live with the pain you have caused yourself. Come back in 3 weeks so I can get more of your money".