If you’re the primary breadwinner in the family and you need to have shoulder surgery in order to not lose function in your arm, how did you reconcile missing work to have it done?

My friend is looking at needing surgery but his income is what pays most the bills in his family. I asked if he has Disability insurance through his company and he's checking on that.

I feel like if he doesn't have it, he's going to regret it in the future.

He works in the trades so his mobility is pretty much a requirement but, also, his job is what is making things worse. I don't envy his predicament, that's for sure.

If you needed surgery, did you have it? How long was recovery? Would you do it again? Would you have done it sooner?