I'm sure you covered everything but just in case not. Disregarding the retirement (look at that in a bit), if you had the surgery now while active would you not get a minimum (at least 30 days) period of conv. leave (free leave vs. using what you have accrued) and at the same time collect a full military check?? Electing to wait then what is the situation(I'm not familiar with how the GS system works)? Would you have a period of conv.lv/sick that would be charged to you since youprobably won't have accrued many sick/lv. hrs. by then? As a GS would you fall under a workers comp. type situation where you only collect ??%of your pay?As for not letting you stay past your retire date?? Do you mean they'd boot you as soon as you hit your (RCP) date whether you are healed and released by the Dr. or are you saying you have ret. papers that take you past your date and that once recovered they'd want you out asap? I quess this is more questions than advise but some things I'd recommend folks to look at. I'm also looking atthe active duty situationfromthe Army side of the house and not the Navy. GS situation will all fall the same. Good Luck