Building shoulder strength

Hello ladies, im a new member and have a LOT of stupid questions, but i'll start with this one...:
 
I had a shoulder operation last october (arthroscopy - to cure swimmers shoulder) which meant i couldnt use that arm for a couple of months and have had to get back into exercise really slowly.  Having discovered weight training 3mths ago, i really love it  - getting a little shape back - but am noticeably weaker in the left arm and shoulder.   im doing physio exercises everyday to strengthen the scapula.  If any other ladies have had similar shoulder problems and can reccomend exercises too please do.  
 
But my main question is: do I train the left side extra to try to bring it up to same as the right?  Or just carry on working both and hope they even up?
 
Many thanks for any help!!
 
mergal xx

Perform isolateral exercises (is that the word?), meaning work each side the same. So for shoulders things like dumbell lateral raises and dumbell presses as opposed to barbell work where the stronger side can end up doing the work.

Hi and welcome to MT
 
I would suggest working to the strength of the weaker side so that it gets the chance to 'catch up'. My physio suggested avoiding upright rows as I was continually getting impingements in my rotator cuff. I've also been told to avoid pressing for the same reasons (and as I do a lot of incline chest pressing, this hits the front delts which are primarily hit with a shoulder press too I'm not missing out). My shoulder workouts therefore only ever involve dumbbells or single cable exercises and I really feel I've gained some shape there over this last 18mths. I don't train them heavy as lateral raises etc can't be done too heavy and strict form. For the first time ever training this way, I got DOMS in my shoulders!!
 
I suppose what I'm trying to say, is worry less about the strength and work on the technique.

Ditto Kitty actually. I've got no side/rear delts but quite a bit of front delt. Injured my Shoulder Snowboarding years ago but they were my weakest bodypart anyway :-(

Thank you girls.  I will concentrate on the dumbbells then.  Just done a session and felt soooo weedy, but did manage to budge the cable a little :)  thats a good idea to work to the weaker sides' strength - its a bit frustrating as of course want to do the good side's weight, but more sensible long term to hold back until the left is better.  patience. patience.
thanks for your advice xx

Don't feel weedy mergal. Everyone has to start somewhere. I don't even stick the pin in on our cable machine if I'm doing side raises!!

Thanks Kitty.  Im not putting that pin in yet either !