I'm thinking I'll need some easy on and off shoes and clothes for a while. I don't know how on earth I'm going to be able to medicate my two parrots - they get medicine in the morning and evening by syringe (they have arthritis too!). I hadn't thought of this aspect yet. Will I have use of any fingers on the hand that is operated on? About how many days post-surgery do you think before I can use the hand? I was good to go after two days with shoulder surgeries. One of the birds won't come near me if I even have a bandaid on. They usually come around once I've let them see what is going on and I talk to them. But I am worried about drawing up their meds. What do you think - 2 or 3 days before I can use my fingers to help me? I understand my thumb will be quite tender.