Im not trying to scare you but educate educate educate, ask ask ask, and then make sure the surgeron is good. I had 2 back surgies and now I am loosing my ability to walk mostly due to fibrosis (all the is is scar tissue from the surgeries pressing on my nerves) and if removed it just comes back. I also have perm damaged nerves and neuopathy on my thighs but that fibrosis is the main reason I may end up loosing my abilty to walk and now have an internal pain pump (also called morphine pump but has 3 medications in it currently) to give me as many years as possible to be able to walk as they stated in as little as 5 years. Im 35, 34 when i had the pump put in and 28 at the time of both surgeries.

If i could do it over id do the lazor surgery they say that a bandaid to cover, I had a 5 inch incison and they recut the same one the 2nd time.

The first surgery was a success but i fell in the shower, the bath tub hit my incision sight crushing discs into pieces but fibrosis being scar tissue would have formed with just the fist one.

I had a roommate that had the same surgery in the same area and could do things i cant (ride a bike, walk a good distance, sleep on a bed...i have to sleep on a recliner). So not all are bad, im just saying ask about fibrosis, reserch it. My location was L5 S1 so location makes a huge difference too.

So i will be on an internal pain pump for the remainder of my life and if i can get past 39 and still be able to walk i go past the Drs projected "in as little as 5 yrs". I have arthritis in all my joints too including my back, my knees and ankles lock up and it takes an hr or more to work them enough to put weight on them.

Lazor surgery sounds better as the less they cut the less scar tissue you have later. It was right after my second surgery where i felt more than just surgery pain. Either way, go in very well educated and ask ask ask before saying yes. Oh and also i had to sign papers that i (or anyone) couldnt sue for anything up to death. Yes, if i died on the table, my family wouldnt be able to sue for malpractice. I got a lawyer and tried.

Good luck. Chronic pain is hard at any age but at your age and even mine, 35, I cant ride a bike, walk my dog, or sleep on a bed. Things people do that dont know what they have until its gone. I cant sweep or vaccum my house, i cant do much house work at all.