Ask HN: Should I find new job before telling current job about surgery?

Talk to your employer and ask for leave - even if you choose not to go back, it is a safety net. If there are 50+ employees, they must grant you leave under FMLA laws. If not, they should grant it out of human decency. If you also want to look for another job, go right ahead. Taking leave does not obligate you to return, and I have seen a few people take leave and then just not come back, in various organizations.

As far as notification if something goes badly (hopefully it won't be a concern), just make a list of who should be notified and give it to whomever is closest to you. My wife and I have that anyway... our "In case I get hit by a bus" documents.

I have taken time off for surgery before, and based on my experience, I have one more bit of advice - forget about work for a while. Just worry about your own recovery. Stressing over a job isn't how you should be spending your energy during a time like this. You'll know when it is time to start thinking about it again - there comes a point during recovery from major surgery where you are tired of recovery and want to start doing something again. That is the time to start thinking about work, not before.

y, I took FMLA or tried to when our son was born, they weren't happy and were letting me know they were trying to find any loop hole they could to get out of it, and said there might or might not be a job for me when I came back.

I ended up taking the leave with them, I ended up finding a new job while I was off that started when my FMLA ended.

As far as if you die, don't worry about how your employer will find out. They don't worry too much when they let employees go. As an employee that shouldn't really be a concern for you to worry about.

Focus on your health and having a successful surgery. Good luck, I hope it improves your quality of life.