Mayor John Tory will not attend public events for up to two weeks after he has scheduled surgery in Toronto on Wednesday, his office says.

Tory is expected to undergo surgery for his injured Achilles tendon at Humber River Hospital, according to his office.

At an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Tory said he plans to use a knee walker for a few weeks and crutches for a few months as he recovers. He said his Achilles tendon is being reconstructed and the surgery is more complicated than that required to repair a severed tendon.

"I'm a human being, and I've never had surgery before, so I'll admit to being a bit apprehensive about it all, just in terms of everything from the general anesthetic to the recovery period," Tory told reporters.

"I guess it's the unknown for me, like it is for any person facing their first surgery. I'm in the hands of good doctors and they'll look after me, I'm sure."

Tory has injured his Achilles tendon three times in the last few years, with the last injury occurring in October. The surgery will ensure that "his leg is back to normal," according to his office.

Denzil Minnan-Wong to be acting mayor during surgery

Tory said he will be set up with a video connection to enable him to contact his staff on city matters. He said his doctors have briefed him on pain he is likely to experience and the importance of following medical instructions to avoid infection and complications.

"The hardest part for me will probably be, once I get beyond the mild apprehension of the surgery, the enforced period of physical inactivity for a couple of weeks because I have to keep the weight off my leg that they are fixing."

For at least the first 10 days following surgery, Tory said he will be "busily engaged" in his job sitting down with his leg up.

Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong will serve as acting mayor during the surgery itself, his office says.

Tory's press secretary, Lawvin Hadisi, said Tory will not attend public events for 10 to 14 days, but will participate in briefings and meeting as needed starting on Thursday or Friday.

"We think he will be fully back in the office, attending events, in two weeks," Hadisi said.

She said Tory is grateful that many Toronto residents have wished him well ahead of the surgery.