Morning,
I understand your nervousness! It is a tricky surgery and there is a true right to be best informed before making the decision. I live in Tucson AZ, where are you located?
I have had symptoms for nearly three years- started small and I blew it off because there just wan't time for me to look into it. I thought it was because of moving, pulled something while walking my German Shepherds, etc. I went to a mico surgeon specializing in ulnar nerve entrapment (#1 surgeon in the S-west) and although I do infact have a 100% subluxed (dislocated) ulnar nerve in my left elbow and 60% in my right elbow, it wasn't the cause of all of my symptoms. Now, I'm in a slightly different boat than you- I am younger, just turned 26. I have been going to DRs for a few years and I felt that no one took me seriously because outwardly, I am a very healthy 20 something! In fact, my symptoms progressed so severely this past winter, that I went to see the #1 rated vascular surgeon at the best teaching hospital in the area. He turned me away saying it was impossible for me to have a valid vascular condition/compression. Maybe my arm/hand was turning red and swelling because of an allergic reaction to my lotion!!! Yeah, really.
So I went back to Sq one and researched again! Found an amazing and overly qualified vascular surgeon that specializes in althletes with this condition! He was my guy! Spent time with me, was very thorough and I was scheduled for surgery within weeks. I have ATOS on both sides, though my left side was urgent. I was at risk of either developing a clot, or risking severe damage to the artery itself due to the severe compression. Any movement above 90 degrees compressed my artery 100%. Not a drop of blood was moving in or out.

I had the surgery on 12 April (thru left armpit,) and I have posted in the thread titled 1st rib post op experiences. I had a left first rib removal and a scalenectomy. They removed about half of my scalene mucsles inorder to make room. Please read, it was very informative for me prior to surgery and I hope you will find our recovery stories helpfull as well. I am now nearly two months out from the surgery and I am doing really well. I had great health to start with, sounds like you as well. I didn't go to PT, the Dr said that because of my health/condition that it wasn't necessary. Everyone is different though. I would say that the first few days home were difficult, but I managed just fine after day two with only advil throughout the day- WHICH- let me say, the Vicodin actually hindered me and kept me on the couch/bed more than I needed out of just dizziness and sleepiness. Switch to Advil or so when you can and you will find that you may be mobile faster and able to rebound quicker. By the following week (7 days post op) I was doing great. Had nearly all of my mobility back, could sit at my desk and do my work just fine. Could I lift weights? No. Could I walk my dogs with that hand? No. Did I need help with laundry, dishes, etc? Yes of course.

Be aware, everyone is different. Everyone's healing will vary. I think I might be lucky, or I think I was very informed and carefull prior and after my surgery. If there is anything I can do to help you, or if you have specific questions, I'm happy to help. BTW- my right side will need surgery as well. It is ME and MY decision on when I have the right side done, not the Drs. I could easily have it completed now, but my husband and I are thinking about starting a family. We will make a decision soon on whether or not to have a baby soon, or to have the surgery first. The right side is getting worse though, or at least it seems that way. In reality, because my left side was really THAT bad, now that it is fixed, I am able to see/feel just how bad my right side is also.

Two months out (almost) all I have issues with is possibly over-doing it with my left shoulder which still will swell under the left collar bone and at the incision site. Don't be like me- don't sleep on your shoulder after surgery. I guess I'm stubborn in my sleep. lol. Thats all I have issues with! It's been great in comparison to what I've read.

All the best,
Jocelyn