I am a newbie here, but very familiar with back pain. After herniating L5/S1, I had two microdiscectomies and finally a fusion. The fusion did not completely relieve my pain, but it helped considerably, as did physical therapy. At least I got a lot stronger again.

I'm scheduled for my second fusion, though, at L4/L5 (herniated that disc now). Surgery is Jan. 7th. Wish me luck, too.

And do what the docs tell you to do. After a while, I stopped being careful, and went ahead and did things I wasn't supposed to do. After a fusion, the next disc is put in a position to herniate more easily (which I knew . . .)

So be careful!