Hi Sgt Bob,
Good luck with the back surgery. When is it scheduled?

I had back surgery (open slice and dice). Right after that they changed to Laparoscopic surgery. So your recovery time may be much less with that and even as an outpatient stay.

I was in the hospital for only two days, with open surgery. They removed a huge cyst on the spine that was growing larger and compressing the nerves and cord. Cut through bone to get there.

I also have ruptured disk's that splintered and the fragments where sticking into my spine. He said like wood splitters would do. I get so lucky, NOT! I never injured myself either.

It hurt like a bandit to walk and pain was relieved to sit down. I had pain down the side of the leg too. It pressed on the sciatic nerve too. I had to have the surgery. I put it off for a long time, but no pain med worked.

My Neurosurgeon did a wonderful job. I was back to work after PT ended and the pain was gone on the operation table. It was a blessing.

I hope you get lucky too. I am missing bones in the Lumber 3,4 and 5 and S 1and S 2 in the S-Spine.

I get the MS hug T 7 and T 8. Always something.

Good luck. Do you need a second opinion or are you going to do it for sure?