Well, bless you for overcoming obstacles, to put it mildly.
 
I have a funny story similar to yours.
 
When I came to pick up Shadow the day after his neuter op, I was wearing insulated bib overalls and oversized jacket (my cold suit) and a watch cap. He didn't recognize me at first. Then I spoke my standard greeting to him and his ears perked up. Then I thought to remove my cap. He exchanged kisses and "so long' barks with the Beagle in the kennel next to him and to home we went.