Be Strong and Courageous mate.
We will all keep you in our thoughts. Surgery is something that I myself will have to undergo later on in the year, nothing that hangs my life in the balance, but its a case of passing your life over to someone in the hope they can fix you.
I guess with what the surgeon says.. goes.. so lets all get together and keep hoping that when you are operated on we can expect good things and that the surgeon does his best work EVER in his 20 years experience.
As already stated the medical profession has taken leaps and bounds in the last 10-15 years, the preparatory things they are doing will save time for the real important stuff.
Obviously you wouldn't want to have surgery, but in this particular case we're not left with any other option. I wish you all the best and please do keep us updated you'll be in my thoughts greatly as always.
Rich