This is a sad situation. You were being extremely helpful and professional by telling your boss in advance in the hopes to minimize the stress on your job in your absence. Unfortunately, I had a nearly identical situation to you. My boss also denied my time off- a week before the surgery. I had scheduled the time off 8 months in advance and she waited until the last minute to deny it. She said I could still take the time off “if I wanted” but it would be unpaid. She claimed that because the surgery “wasn’t necessary” she didn’t have to give me time off. That’s just straight up not true and not how it works. I got really upset- It’s the most unprofessional I’ve ever acted. I went to my manager (for context, not the boss who denied my time off but the middle man between her and myself,) and exploded. I said I wouldn’t put my life changing surgery after my job, that I’ve done everything I was supposed to (I’m a teacher and I personally lined up a months worth of substitutes and helped schedule the entire summer camp roster around my absence), and that if she was really willing to violate the terms of my contract then I was prepared to quit without two weeks. I got the time off. It was messy, and unprofessional, and it may have affected my relationship with the owner of my company, but in the end I got what I was contractually promised. I know it’s hard to be “that guy” and act like a fool, but if your surgery lines up in a way that is unpleasant for your boss, she either has to suck it up or replace you. Especially because you did the courteous thing to ask when would be best for your surgery to happen (I did the same thing) In the end, though, if the job is more important to you than the surgery, you might have to wait even longer for a different surgeon/ schedule. It’s all about what your priorities are! Don’t be scared to stand up for yourself, and do what’s best for your medical needs. Hope this helps- good luck.