long, yes.
This comes from a couple of things:-
alot of possible controls- both axes and buttons
different aircraft use different controls (and often in a different manner).
this tends to mean the best way is to have several ingame controls profiles designed for different aircraft so as you try different aircraft you keep (re)building controls.
You mention surgery, can i suggest (from experience) you keep the ability to use autopilot- then if it becomes uncomfortable you can let the computer take over for a while.
Anyway, you've got something to stop you going 'stir crazy' during your hopefully short recovery
