Okay just putting this out here so if anyone is looking into surgery.
First off - Don't wait when you get injured, get it looked at. If your Team 18D tells you not to PT for XX Days or Months. Then during that time you need to go to the TMC and get into your Records. It will help you out when you get out. I lost over 4-5 months of info in medical records.
Second - I personally I wouldn't take the Steroid shots. 3 out of 5 guys that I know have had bad to horrible results to their shoulders after the fact (shots). Even after Surgery, so if its so bad that you need the cut, go for the Knife not the needle.
Third - Surgery was a breeze. The hard part was the 7-9 months of the military system of getting checked out to consulates for PT and surgery. Surgery was easy, I talked to the Surg Tech about getting a workout with my arm, then had to count to 5. I don't remember anything after counting 2.
Okay now for recovery-30 day convalescent leave.
Weeks one and two are ruff. Drugs are a great thing. I ate Percocet as they say; like Candy. I had two every 5-6 hours for about 9-10 days or so. Which my Doc said is the normal. No worries, yeah tell that to my liver. I would at least get a recliner chair, this is a must!! You just can't lay down in a bed after the surgery. Your arm is in a sling next to your side and any movement just kills you for about 4-6 days. I sleep in one to this day. I just, 2 days ago started to sleep in the bed, but I can't make it all night yet. I would also ask for a sleep aid for at least ten days, it up to you and your DOC. But they help.
Now everyone takes pain different, so this is just me.
One week I was in pain, Week two was better. PT for week one was basic movement of the shoulder area. They hurt the first couple of days but after 3-4 days your good and the pain is almost gone. Week two I started with overhead movements. All movements are aided and passive. Like its been said, you just can't lift anything more than 16 oz.
Weeks two and three your ten times better, your pretty much off the drugs. So your feeling a ton better, almost just like when you first got hurt.
Your going to be doing PT while your at home. So hopefully you have someone to help you out.
Take care hopefully this helps others.