Playing without a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) for the past four years, the 27-year old didn't pull up as well as expected from his first VFL match after rehabilitation from a knee injury sustained in Round 7.
After consulting with club doctor Andy McMahon, director of medical services Steve Saunders and specialists, it was decided he should have a synthetic graft inserted to fully replace his PCL and stabilise his knee.
"This procedure will restore stability in Hamish's knee and in doing so, it will also help to ensure all of the other structures in the knee remain healthy," Steve Saunders said.
"By doing this, we are giving Hamish every opportunity to reach his full potential and continue playing the AFL football that he's capable of for a long time to come."
It's expected McIntosh will start rehabilitation in a month after the procedure is performed on Thursday.
"I'm really confident this is the best path for me and I want to ensure that I can stabilise my knee and be right to go for day one of the pre-season,'' McIntosh said.
"This is in the best interests of my long-term playing future and will allow me to have my second full preseason in a row."
While disappointed by the latest injury setback, he remains confident the LARS surgery will enable him to regain full function in his right knee by the start of training in Utah.
"It's been a frustrating couple of years. Both my achilles tendons are great allowing me to play the first seven games this year and this was just an unfortunate injury.
"I know I have some great footy ahead of me and am looking forward supporting the boys, hopefully in the finals and then joining them in Utah for the pre-season campaign.
"I fully expect to have a successful 2013 and put this bad run behind me.''
McIntosh turns 28 next month and is contracted until the end of next season.
