Cats' football manager Neil Balme told Geelong's website that the operation was minor and the club's No.1 ruckman should recover in time to play in the opening-round blockbuster against Hawthorn.
But the Cats will be nervously hoping he does, as they are struggling for ruck options.
Ex-North Melbourne recruit Hamish McIntosh is already on the sidelines and uncertain to be back for round one, having recently had fluid drained from a troublesome knee.
Fellow big man Dawson Simpson had back surgery in early February and won't be ready for the start of the home-and-away season.
The Cats' other ruck option, Nathan Vardy, missed almost all of last season with hip problems and was kept out of the Cats' opening-round pre-season games as the club manages his build-up to the season proper.
In brighter news, Cats triple-premiership players Paul Chapman and Andrew Mackie will play their first pre-season games against Adelaide on Saturday.
