I've had the Carpal Tunnel op in both my hands.
The first time I had it was when I was pregnant, 29 years ago. It lasted for a couple of years and I had the op on my right hand when my son was about 2 years old. That op was performed by an Orthopaedic Surgeon. I had to spend one night in hospital and had to have my hand elevated the whole night. I was then discharged but had to keep my hand in a sling for a few weeks. The operation was a complete success and I had no further trouble.
Then, a few years ago, I got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my left hand when I was going through the menopause (apparently it's quite common). This time, the operation was done by a Plastic Surgeon under local anaesthetic. I went into hospital as a "day" patient and didn't even occupy a bed. I was discharged the same afternoon, but my hand was bandaged up like a boxing glove & I had to keep it in a sling for a week or so. I also had to go to my doctor's surgery a few times to have the dressing changed. Again, the op was a total success and I've had no further trouble. I was off work for 3 weeks but during that time, I had no problem walking my dog (although I only had one dog at that time).
Fast forward to a couple of years ago and my mother, who was then about 85, got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and went to have the operation. This time, it was done as an outpatient, in a clinic almost like a dentist's surgery. I was actually in the room with her whilst it was being done and was talking to her the whole time. She didn't even have a dressing on the wound and was told to go home and use the hand straight away, even knitting the same night if she wanted to!
Surgery has advanced in leaps & bounds in recent years and I would say, if you need it doing, go & get it done, because Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause irreversible damage if not treated.
Good luck