Good luck JB - that is indeed scary and I look forward to you getting through it quickly. I too was going to mention Django - no matter what happens you should still be making music! :)

Ditto to ampfixer's recommendation: start exercising that hand as soon as possible. Don't wait until the pain goes away completely. It'll be rough but you'll be glad you did this in the end.
 
Les Paul could still play rings around most people even while suffering from extreme arthritis that took away the use of 3 fingers on his picking hand. Earlier in life, when he'd severely broken his arm, he had it set at a 90-degree angle so he could play the guitar. It took him 2 years to get his chops back, but then continued to perform as one of the all-time masters of the instrument for the next 60 years.

ampfixer
Start playing again as soon as possible. I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and they said it would be 6 weeks until I was right again. I started playing guitar within 24 hours, very gently. I was back at work in 1 week and had a great recovery. I'm sure that using the hand right away had a huge effect on a speedy recovery.
...

Of course it did ... it helped create circulation which is what healing is about! 

Good luck!

kakku
Good luck!

Yeah ... hang in there ... forgot that part on the post!

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and advice.
 
The operation did not go according to plan.  They were wiring up the joint, and, due to my osteoporosis, when they tightened the wires the bone collapsed.  They had to fit a metal plate.
 
The upshot of this is that I will be in plaster for at least six weeks.  There is also some concern as to how long the bone will take to heal, due to the treatment I am receiving for the osteoporosis.
 
Playing is pretty much out of the question as the plaster prevents me from moving my wrist and thumb, and I cannot touch my thumb and fingers together.  I have tried to play (contrary to surgeon's advice) but it is almost impossible.
 
I see the surgeon on Tuesday, so may know more then.  I cannot even drive, so even the school run is out of the question.  I intend to start back teaching at the Academy on Wednesday, and am not sure how that will go.  Even getting there will be an issue, let alone teaching when I can't play.  I guess my students are in for a lot of theory over the next month. 
 
Anyhow, wishing I hadn't had it done now, and feeling really low about it.  I guess things will improve, but just seems crap at the moment.  I know many people have overcome greater issues, so I hold on to that.
 
Anyhow, thanks again for your kind words.

Holy crap, jb. That's some scary sh*t. Hang in there, man, we're all pulling for you.
 
On a lighter note, think about what kind of metaphysical wisdom you'll pass on to your students while on Hydrocodone.

I am sorry to hear the bad news but I am sure you will find a way to reach your goals somehow and I hope you hear good news from your surgeon! Maybe you could use an assistant if you can't play? Also perhaps there are specially made guitars that are easier to play? I found this but it may not help:
https://www.galaxyguitar.com/ft1.html
(Sorry for being too intrusive)

bitflipper
Holy crap, jb. That's some scary sh*t. Hang in there, man, we're all pulling for you.
 
On a lighter note, think about what kind of metaphysical wisdom you'll pass on to your students while on Hydrocodone.

Thanks, Bit. It is pretty scary. I am on morphine anyway, even before the op, so I think my students are used to the odd far out lecture. I guess the increased dosage may push them over the edge..

kakku
I am sorry to hear the bad news but I am sure you will find a way to reach your goals somehow and I hope you hear good news from your surgeon! Maybe you could use an assistant if you can't play? Also perhaps there are specially made guitars that are easier to play? I found this but it may not help:
https://www.galaxyguitar.com/ft1.html
(Sorry for being too intrusive)

Thanks for the thought, kakku. It is my right hand that is injured, but it was kind of you to offer suggestions.

I guess I will be doing a lot of legato playing for a while. I have considered getting one of my advanced students to help out as an "assistant". Perhaps that will be a way out in the short term.