I had a c/section 6 years into my rsd and my pain specialist took some preventative measures to make sure the pain wasn't too much and the RSD was kept under control. I had a spinal for the c/section that was also left in (and running) for a few days and I had a morphine IV as well.

When I had my hysterectomy last year, I had general anesthetic and they started a ketamine infusion just before the operation that stayed running for 5 days after the op. I still had a lot of pain with both of them and took endone tablets in the days following each op for extra breakthru pain, but was otherwise ok and had no complications. (I did have complications from the c/section, in the form of major nasty infections in my uterus that needed extra iv antibiotics for weeks afterwards, but that was a normal risk that comes with a c/section and had nothing to do with my RSD)

I think we do always need to weigh up the pros and cons of each procedure. I don't have blood tests unless I really have to, but I will have 3 in one week when I have a ketamine infusion. My (good) left arm doesn't like needles anymore and it's too risky for anyone to try, so IVs are done through my stomach and blood tests are taken from my good foot.

Your friends' doctor could give a nerve block to go with the general or run another type of anesthetic after the procedure. If you can get that dr to chat to her pain specialist, then they can work together to make it as successful and problem free as possible.

I hope it all goes really well for her, it sounds like she can do with some good luck!