Had the same op about 6 years ago. The surgeon trimmed the L5 disc that had collapsed into by spinal canal pushing on my spinal chord causing unbelievable pains down my right leg.
I was off work about 4 months after my op, this was the time the surgeon recommended, I don’t know if this is normal, or just my particular circumstance, so ask your surgeon.
Immediately after to op I was immensely relieved, the leg pain had gone straight away. It was sore and and uncomfortable for a good few weeks, and it took a while to get walking properly again. I had a few session of physio that helped, but over about 2 months I was feeling much better.
One of the odd downsides for me was my first dump after the op. I had been pumped up on painkillers and anaesthetic, which turned my poo into breezeblock. My first shit felt like the bastard was coming out sideways, they finished up giving me a suppository to help, which it did in spectacular style! Maybe that was just me.
Good luck with this fella, this op improved my life tremendously, but don’t forget you will have a duff back for life now, and you will need to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. My back has never been fully the same since, but I can live with whatever discomfort it gives me, it is very very small compared to what it was like before the op. Occasionally i twang it again good style, but only because I forget I have a bad back, and it can take a few weeks to come back round again with rest and physio.
Be sensible with what you do, don’t lift heavy objects, keep up with any back exercises they give you, and keep yourself active.
And don’t stop shaggin, its good for it apparently…
