Gary, I too originally hurt my shoulder from playing football. I did not take anytime off. I didn't practice all week but still played in the games. I bought a shoulder harness and whenever my shoulder popped out someone in the huddle would put it back in. Needless to say, I was stupid. After the season I finally got an MRI and just about everything in which you could tear in your shoulder was torn. Now, after surgery you can get back into the gym at 3 month using light weights. You should be totally healed after 6 months. If all you did was separate your shoulder and you didn't tear anything, the best thing to do is rest your arm for a week or 2, do not do anything to strain the ligaments or tendons in your shoulder so that they have a chance to heal and shrink a little bit. Your physical therapist should give you several exercises to strengthen your shoulder without further hurting it.

To summ it up, if it was just a separation with no internal damage, with the correct physical therapy you'll be back in action in a couple of weeks. I suggest getting an MRI.