AITA for not being able to go to my mom's surgery
I (31 M) am single and live in a country pretty far away from my parents. My mom had a recent moderate surgery scheduled. There were no symptoms, it is entirely preventative but her doctor's feel that it should be done. In any case, the surgery was scheduled for this week and I had booked my flights and reorganized my work commitments to make it for the surgery and a few days before and after it. However, today (when I was supposed to fly out), they informed me that they are rescheduling the surgery due to a specific test not being available. They did not have a surgery slot scheduled as of now, but told me it would be sometime next week without a specific date. I told them that it might be difficult for me to come next week due to some rather important work commitments (which I had already rescheduled as per the original surgery schedule), especially with no planned schedule for the surgery. I asked them if they can push the surgery by one week, since it is preventative and there are no immediate symptoms that can be caused, and they did not want to do that since they wanted to get it over with soon.
AITA for not committing to be there no matter what? Since the surgery is preventative, I feel that they can take into account my availability while scheduling it, or is this too much to ask. They have already rescheduled this surgery for purely relegious reasons, but dont want to account for my schedule.
Just for context: My parents are pretty well of and I am not needed there to logistically help out with any part of the surgery, since they have quite a lot of support staff to help them during the surgery and afterwards for recovery. I am supposed to be there entirely for emotional support. Second: Me and my parents don't have a particularly close relationship (due to things like my sexuality and deviations from what they would like me to do), and they often get upset when I don't do things their way.
Posted Jul 8, 2026, 9:25 AM UTC