I had carpel tunnel surgery done about two years ago:
First as Dr. Moses say it was from thumb across all fingertips, not even sure I had a problem with my pinkey. (think of the feeling when you sleep wrong on your arm and your hand falls asleep, but 24/7).
They diagnosed me by attaching my fingers with sensors to a computer the zapping my arm in different places, low voltage - not painful but not fun either (thou motion might dig it
).
Although they gave me a green light I was not thrilled with the idea of surgery so put it off for a year... it gradually started getting worse so I asked for the surgery... the test had timed out so I had to retest (oh goodie! This is they type of test where the tech is apologizing to you while testing).
That to say IMHO there is no rush to get the surgery done.
They knocked me out for the surgery, but then I'm a big puss and they gave me that option so I took it.
I had no problem with infection, matter of fact took the ace bandage off at night (but left the gauze and tape bandage on for the full two weeks until they took out the stitches).
That infuriate my wife because:
She had the same surgery earlier and hers got infected and they had to go back in TWICE to clean her wound.
And she always follows the Dr.s instructions to the T.
Aside from that, stitches out and back to work in two weeks but more like a year to get full strength back to your hand (still have a little ache in the wrist but worth it to have the feeling back in my fingertips).
Insurance paid for it here in the USofA