Hi, I'm going to tell you something you might already know, but I think it bears repeating.
The surgeon is done when they successfully do the CMC surgery and it heals without infection. You see the therapist for the prescribed number of short visits to get you started on recovery. After that, your recovery is literally "in your hands."

It takes a lot more than an hour of surgery and a dozen 30 minute appointments to get the use of your thumb and its mobility back. The longer you wait the harder it will be.

Here are two excellent YouTube videos about how to bring the swelling down so you can do your exercises, because your swelling seems persistent. Do something like this at least twice a day until you wake up with little swelling.

I am not trying to be harsh or mean, just realistic. It took 12+ weeks of more than once a day therapy, and another three months daily, to get back full use of my thumbs (I have had them both done.) My artist friend was just as diligent because she wanted to keep painting. Our friend who wouldn't do anything that hurt never regained much use of her hands, even though her pain was relieved.

Do you think you can at least try the lymphedema massage today and tomorrow?
Sue

There are four trigger finger surgeries already. So, my fingers are stiff but can move without fazzy feeling. I use kinesio tape now and practice correct bending way for my right thumb.