My own 2 cents...

I herniated L5-S1 a year and a half ago and walked into the Neurosurgeon's office (barely) with my sister who, several years before, had the same issue and was basically disabled by the surgery and said "what can you do for me that doesn't involve cutting?".

It took a loooong time. Prednisone and Vicodin were my best friends. Now I'm very aware of how I'm bending and what I'm lifting, etc, but the pain's gone. But it was over a year to be "back to normal". It don't happen quick-like.