I had carpal tunnel surgery when I was 26, I'm now almost 42. They only did my left hand as it was the worst. I had lost all feeling in my hand, I regained my hot/cold sensation but suffer some nerve damage. I can be holding a fork one minute, next it's lying in my plate. The surgery only took 20 minutes and I was awake for it. I was off work for 6 weeks. Could do nothing with my hand for the first 4 weeks, then some exercises for the last 2 weeks. It was great for 3 months, then I had a recurrence. Now both hands are affected and I am not a candidate for further surgery as the first one did not work. I now use a split keyboard, each half set at almost 90 degrees upright. I also use a track ball mouse as I cannot hold a regular mouse without my hand going to sleep. I take herbal anti inflammatories as the prescription ones make me very sick.

I wish you well with your surgery, which is scheduled for my birthday.