Dr. will probably do a combination of things, decompress the nerve as you are having disc problems and something is pressing on your nerve root, likely resulting in your loss of bladder control at times, meaning it is severe. Any inflammation or irritation will increase those symptoms. It is sometimes hard to figure out the WHY the disc is leaking in the first place or bulging out of place into nerve space. Sometimes they remove part of the bone at the back to allow nerves more room and sometimes they remove part of disc that is bulging out. If there is actual BONE instability resulting in movement that has caused the disc problems then you are likely candidate for fusion where they do all of the above AND then insert rods and screws and bone substitute so that you grow one solid bone down there so nothing is moving at all and so nerves can't be pressed or compromised again.
Results often depend on your pre-op shape and compliance post op. it is important to get good ab strength pre-op as these get deconditoned during recovery and your back can get overly stressed. Wakling post op is good, but not too much too soon. Ice now and ice after surgery, no heat- to keep inflammation down. if you have a fusion, you can't take antiinflammatories b/c they mess up fusions.
If you have loss of bladder control, pain now before surgery, i would suggest ice and anti-inflammatories and stretching hamstrings and hip flexors. In addition, a muscle relaxer, even valium will help with the bladder and relax your system. Something agitated it and caused inflammation so nerves are even more mad and swollen.
After surgery, there is some time for EVERYTHING to recover. Depending on what you have done- if no fusion, recovery is a lot LESS as you are not trying to grow bone. Fusion is painful recovery wise as nerves ar all messed with and there is like recovery nerve pain - often stabbing while nerves regroup and wake back up. They are probably very inflammed after being pressed on for x amount of time. Sometimes a steroid will be given if your pain is super bad after surgery, i had 3 rounds in IV form and 1 round at home due to the severity of recovery nerve pain.
I now deal with left footed numbness which I dont consider pain and I am 5 weeks out of surgery. I have bladder spasms every so often but I was born with this and avoided surgery for 10 years once bladder started so whatever gains I make i will be happy with considering i was at one point wetting my pants daily.
Anyway, the other important thing is is limit all kinds of stress after surgery, esp. a fusion. My first fusion failed, screws broke at bottom level and I coudl have fused around broken ones but due to extreme stress at work this never happened. Suddenly, i was in extreme pain and wetting my pants agan. I could NOT WAIT to get this most recent surgery done.
I am out of pain and really hoping this is it.
I would invest in a grabber so you don't bend and make sure you have help with the kids.
If it is an outpatient surgery, your recovery will be a lot easier. Maybe a small brace for 10 days - mine is huge and Ihave to wear for 3 months. EW.
Best of luck. Relief is on the way!