Sorry to ask again, but, Anybody who has some expertis� in hand surgery/past experiences answer please!

I've had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands (outpatient same day surgery) and in right hand had something which rather sounds like your UCL procedure done at the same time which pretty well restored the use of my hands. Was awake and alert during the process as a general was not needed. Gave me a local first and all I felt was pressure, not pain. You might be looking at six weeks recovery time for strength and full use, but pain/discomfort will be nowhere near the need for extended pain killers. English medical attention is quite comparable to that of the US, I would trust a Briton as much as I would trust a Yank and would say my experience would be very close to yours.