Sorry about the need for surgery espeially since you have lost feeling in your thumb.

Just to let you know, where there is a will there is a way. One of the guys in our club lost his left hand and has a prosthetic hand, the one that looks like a big clamp. He designed a rig that attaches to the transmitter that lets him control both rudder and throttle with his right hand while he holds the transmitter with the prosthetic hand. He flys very well.

I am sure you will develope a method that you will feel comfortable with.

Good luck.

Gary