Mick, I wore a sling for 6 weeks. Started Therapy three times a week at the beginning of the third week. They start you out very slowly, (which hurt so badly it made me very sick) and work up. After almost 4 months of 3 X wk, it still hurts like h$ll but no longer makes me sick. There is no other way to get the range of motion back. You just have to grit your teeth and try not to pass out. (My son works for the surgeon that fixed my shoulder and his recommendation was to get a therapist that is about 6'5" tall, about 280with hair 3 inches long on the back of his knuckles. At least then you will have a reason to be crying like a baby. So what did I draw: a 96 lb. pregnant girl, and she still has me writhing in pain using only a couple of fingers.)
I still cannot sleep lying flat in a bed. I sleep in a recliner. I could sleep lying down as long as I had the sling, but not since. The only way I can sleep lying down is to take two vicodin and they will knock me out for several hours, but most of the time I just sleep setting up in a recliner and forget the pain pills. Of all the other folks I have talked to that had this surgery, most had the same problem for several months.
I am probably the best patient they have every had. I do what I am told no matter how badly it hurts. I shoot competitive archery but WILL NOT draw a bow until they say so. It has been 5 months since I had my bow strung up.
As long as my arms are below chest level, everything feels fine, weak, but no pain. Anything over my head is difficult.
Good luck, not trying to scare you, just relating my experience and trying to prepare you. My doc said a minimum of 9 months, possibly 12 to get completely healed but mine was very badly torn.
Wayne