THUMB FUSION vs THUMB JOINT REPLACEMET

       You really need to ask your doctor - it may depend on what kind of procedure he does.  Even with fusion, his assistant told me there's an older way - wiring the two ends together - and a newer way - screwing together with a plate, that ends up being more secure, with less problems and re-dos. 

     It sounds like you do need the surgery.  However, the timing is up to you and how much pain vs. inconvenience you feel you can tolerate.  I had 3 surgeries in 2008 and can understand the reaction against, each time I felt I had less patience and less reserve each time. Luckily it worked out OK because the second one (carpal tunnel) was much simpler and I didn't need more than a couple of days off (vs. 3 months with my ankle) (some people do need weeks for carpal tunnel) and the 3rd was optional: removing a screw from my ankle.  That one really bugged me because it took me off my foot again just when I was really getting going ... on an exercise bike, not yet walking long distances. 

    I've made and cancelled several appointments for wrist or thumb surgery because I just don't want to go through the inconvenience again - yet!  There is no pressure to go ahead, except on those really bad days when I'm getting over doing 'too much' with them, activities which would have been no big deal a couple of years ago - raking leaves, stapling plastic sheets on the porch for winter. Baking, stirring, chopping food [I got a little chopper for $12 for bad days.]  But I do get over it in a couple of days.  I wear a wrist splint or support glove pretty much 24/7.  When I am debating the pain & inconvenience of surgery vs. the pain and frustration of not being able to do what I want to do - I end up reminding myself that the surgery will not be an instant fix.  It took me over a year to get to the level of walking/being on my feet that I expected to have in 6 months. 

     On the other hand, there's no doubt that I will have it done eventually.  when it doesn't get in the way of a trip with my husband, my work schedule, holidays etc.  So far that hasn't happened...

     But if you're in constant pain and continually frustrated by what you can't do, it probably is time.  Especially if it's the basal joint connecting the thumb to the hand, the C-MC. The 2 joints further out MC-P and PIP are the bad ones for me ...

Hope this helps!  Definitely check with your doctor on what to expect.  But also be prepared that not everyone heals the same way or time ... for what it's worth, I took some supplements specifically for healing from [plastic] surgery from MakeMeHeal.com.  I can't guarantee them, except that I healed fast and had no problems.