Cooking and up coming operation

[Ann Sanders]

I am going to have a Carple Tunnel operation on my right hand in a couple of weeks. I'll tell ya, I can't wait! Anyhow, the problem is..cooking.. DH doesn't do anything but grill the food I prepare for him to cook. Since I am right handed..see the problem? Also going on vacation before the operation, so how do we survive?? We return on the 13th, Pre-op is Aug. 15th, operation on the 16th, so will have to go grocery shopping and meal planning before. Got any ideas?? also my DD doesn't cook either. This has been a fun year. Giggle, giggle :D :D Ya just gotta laugh, don't ya? Actually I thought of having like a Mexican Chicken soup the night of the operation, will have it prepared( things cut up) before, then DH can put it together that night. How dow that sound?

[sneezles]

I'm in a similar situation. Having varicose veins removed on the 22nd. When I had some lesions removed back in January I had prepared and frozen enough meals to get them through the 5 days I had to stay in bed. Don't think I'm up for that as it will be closer to 10 days and there's no room in the freezer.

So simple things will be the key! I will make a batch of Lindrusso's Marinara (surely they can boil pasta :D ), tacos (easy enough to brown the meat and add the spices), burgers, grilled chicken breasts. My biggest concern will be my meals as I don't eat what they eat. Can't wait to see what my sautéed spinach will look like :eek: ...

The soup sounds great and should be easy enough to do.


How long after the surgery before you can use your right hand again?

[KristiB]

I had both carpal tunnel and radial tunnel(elbow) surgery and since I'm single and lived alone I became very adept with my left hand.

I kept it simple and bought things like precut veggies and bagged salads. Handling a knife was not an option. :p

I also made some things before the surgery and froze them and shopped at the deli counter.

Once I had a memory lapse and tried to pick up a carton of milk with the bad arm. Don't ever do that.

[mbrogier]

After my stroke, my left hand was paralyzed. I could not use it very much at all for 2 months (could not hold a fork for a month), and I'm left handed. I learned to use my other hand really quickly. We did a lot of pastas, tacos, sauteed chicken/used marinades, and I bought a lot more prepped veggies/salad greens. My husband has good knife skills, so he chopped up stuff for pot roast, etc.

Since you're not supposed to use that hand at all, may I suggest a sling to wear while you're in the kitchen, etc. It is just second nature to grab for things, etc with your favored hand. In my case, my hand just didn't work, and we'd be picking up glass shards off the tile floor--in your case, like Beth, you could hurt your hand.

Good luck on your surgery!