I had a complete rupture of the rotary cuff and had laproscopic surgery. I was out of work for two weeks, could have gone back in one (office job).
For me, the pain was minimal. I was off pain meds by day 3 and probably could have skipped them on day 2. I wore the arm brace for 3 days only. The doctor indicated that on day 3 when I took the brace off, my arm would just hang - I found I could move it from the elbow down, but I didn't push it.
I had mine in October, so no camping afterwards, but I think I would have been pushing things if I had tried it within the first 3 months (with the TT I had at the time - I think I'd have been OK sooner with the clipper). I was driving by day 4, but had to move my whole torso around to see behind me, etc. for a couple months. Lifting and carrying was minimal with that arm for several months. Reaching overhead was difficult and grabbing something, even a piece of paper, from overhead was impossible for about 8 months.
Everyone handles surgery, etc., differently. I know that I recover quickly (much to my friend's frustration - she had taken the day off work to help me - I was fully recovered from the surgery within 2 hours). My therapy did not consist of painful or "aggressive" exercises, but rather basic stretching exercises using balls, weight bars, etc. After a year, I had 98% of my range of movement back - even after 3 years, trying to reach my middle back by bending my arm behind me (rather than over the shoulder) is awkward and I can't quite get there. I do get an ache when the weather gets cold.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)