I knew someone who had this procedure. If its any help, he's still alive, and that's been +17 yrs ago. I'm not saying you or anyone else would have the same luck, but it's something to think about.
I did it 25 yrs ago, it was well worth it when I got my a Masters in Computer Science. It's opened so many doors it's hard to describe. Generally, you hit the sweet spot between having not enough and too much education with regards to an HR department and their search algorithms.
I've worked with people who have had no formal education in Computer Science and I would classify them as having a better grasp of the subject matter than myself. Getting a M.S. degree usually helps getting in the door or at least talking to someone, but generally its how driven are you and what you do with what you have that counts more in the end.
- Most books by Roger Zelazny. The guy code write with a few words, he could paint an amazing picture. Chronicles of Amber, Lord of Light, Isle of the Dead, etc...
- And a trashy Candyman , https://sciencefictionruminations.com/2020/05/10/book-review..., not the one everyone is used to, this was so mind boggling to a 13 year old....