Have you asked your doctors what the chances for a positive outcome from surgery are and what success would look like? Also ask what the odds are for a negative outcome from surgery and what that would look like.
From talking to people the general consensus I hear are back surgery helps about 1/3rd of people, does nothing for the next 1/3rd and actually makes things worse for tge bottom 1/3rd.
I decided to try physical therapy before attempting surgery. After about a month of physical therapy the disk pinching my nerves realigned and my back muscles were strong enough to keep them properly aligned.
I skipped the surgery. I now do Tai Chi on a regular basis to keep everything aligned and back muscles strong. I have a back brace if im going to be doing some heavy lifting or strenuous work. I also us a tens unit instead of meds when my back starts to spasm.
I have a friend from high school that went the surgery route and made things worse for him.
Good luck. Ask questions and definitely get a second opinion.
