Time off for surgery
I just discovered this subreddit, I am so happy to have found y'all and if my post is repetitive or breaks any rules please lmk so I can change it!
I have had serious problems with carpal tunnel for 5 years now; I did not have a doctor take me really seriously until 2025, at which point it was recommended I would need both carpal and cubital tunnel surgeries on both of my arms as I had already been splinting regularly for years. They wanted to operate in January 2026 which was just not affordable for me at the start of a healthcare plan year. Finally I am looking at being able to schedule my carpal tunnel surgeries later this summer. The plan is to get each hand done 2 weeks apart from each other, then give it a year of rest before reassessing the cubital tunnel situation.
This is where my question comes in. I work in engineering, requiring fine motor control of my hands. My surgeon at my consultation super urged me to not take time off and jump right back into work, swearing that she has had the same surgery and went to a yoga class the same day, that the healing is incredibly easy and quick and by the end of the 2 weeks for one hand, it will be healed and ready to take over for my other hand while that one gets the operation. I work with a LOT of people who have had this surgery. I have a coworker who has had the surgery done "the old way" (not endoscopic) and "the new way" (endoscopic) and she claims there was no difference and she even says she regrets getting the surgeries done (but she kinda has that attitude about everything anyways). Another coworker JUST had the surgery done, but she took 2 full weeks off of work just for one hand and claims that she still can't even use her hand to wash her face. I have another friend who got carpal tunnel surgery recently and says that he felt better and was getting used to using his hand the 3rd day or so.
Now I have gotten such conflicting experiences - and I'm sure they're all valid in their own ways! But I am curious what to expect. Because truthfully I cannot afford to take a month off work, but I need this surgery. Any advice, anecdotes, or analysis of the situation would be beneficial. Thank you in advance, you seem like a lovely community!