I was about to have a micro discectomy, I went for a second opinion and I decided to cancel the micro discectomy because the cut was bigger with stitches, scarring, part of a bone would've been cut....all of that scared me. My cousin had the micro discectomy for the same problem, opposite site and now after 2 years she's feeling pain once on a while in the other side.
I'm not to young anymore but I've been always active, yoga, walking, hiking once on a awhile, like dancing so I wanted a long result. Let's see how I continue but so far so good!! Two days after surgery and just had today half Vicodin after 36 hours.
Glad you were lucky with your surgery! I'm not pro surgery but in my case I had affected my sacrum,leg, gluteus and foot.