There’s a wide range in recovery from rotator cuff surgery, and a lot of it depends on how big the rotator cuff tear is, and the quality of the repair.
I tend to tell my patients that the first six weeks after surgery are about letting the rotator cuff heal, and not letting your shoulder get stiff.
At the six week mark, I expect you to have good range of motion and a pain-free shoulder, but no real strength. The following six weeks are about strengthening your shoulder.
All together, on average, it takes about three months after surgery before patients can go back to all their normal activities that require repetitive or heavy overhead lifting.