I used it last year after a stroke. I had a case worker at the hospital get me the application and a doctor does need to fill certain parts out and sign, but once the application was in it took a little over a month and I started receiving payments. There is a number you can call and the people I spoke with were very friendly.

If the surgery will take you out of work at all then I see no reason you can't apply. It's an insurance you pay in to.