A Dr. Kristofer Jones, MD, Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of UCLA Health. Total recovery from rotator cuff surgery can take up to about six months, but it will take about 12 months for you to feel completely happy with your outcome.While pain relief during recovery is predictable, function and range are not always as predictable. Dr. Kristofer Jones, MD, Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of UCLA Health. Total recovery from rotator cuff surgery can take up to about six months, but it will take about 12 months for you to feel completely happy with your outcome.