[Tommy]

Just in case someone else comes here looking for advice, let me note my results. I had the surgery done four days ago. By the time the local anesthetic wore off, I noticed an improvement in my old carpal tunnel symptoms. Specifically, I could keep my hand elevated (as directed by the doctor to minimize swelling) without experiencing the tingling and numbness that used to arise after a minute or less. One day after surgery, my hand was too tender to be of any use, but it didn't hurt otherwise. Two days after surgery I could use it for very light duty (e.g., typing) but nothing heavy. Four days after surgery it feels normal 99% of the time and is good for all but things requiring significant hand strength (e.g., unscrewing the lid on a jar of pickles). I continue to have some symptoms at night in my unaltered hand, but the hand that was operated on is symptom free. I plan to have the other hand done in a month or two.