what kind of surgery are you having? will you be laid up in the house for a while? if so, you might want to put off fading until after, so that the congregation can take care of you. :) they love to do that sort of stuff, you might get some yummy free meals. :) go to a meeting, and be really concerned about how you're going to cook and clean while you're healing. they will run to your aide! (if they are a good congregation they will). my old cong. would set up meal rotation schedules.
I can't agree with this. The point of fading is to get OUT of people's minds. If you use people they'll remember, resent it, and circle the wagons if it appears you're outta there.