It's true, we don't react well to being sick. We either refuse to admit we're sick until we fall over or we turn into complete wimps and want constant care and attention and sympathy.
In the last 15 years, I've become disabled and very ill. I'm one of the refuse to admit it till I fall over guys. But I've had to learn to take care of business when I'm sick. Surgery is not something to procrastinate about. We do procrastinate. It's a control issue, really. Doctors have control in a situation like this, and we don't like it. We don't like to feel helpless. And surgery scares us, though we usually aren't willing to admit it. But you must constantly encourage him to deal with the situation, let him know you want him around for a long time. Don't nag. Find a way to do it without so much trying to force him. The more you push, the more he'll resist. If his illness is anything that affects his ability to get an erection or perform sexually, tell him how much better sex will be when he gets it taken care of. That usually gets our attaention.
In the end, though, he basically has to accept that he needs to do the thing and get up off his ass and do it.
