Sorry Don...Although I have had back surgery, it was a laminectomy in the lumbar region and not as complex as a fusion. Besides, my specialty is Cardiology. LOL   

Seriously, I do have two friends who have had what you're contemplating and they each are much better off. Robin is right however as some don't have the same success. Even with the laminectomy, a woman whom I knew had one within a week of so of mine. Both of us were almost completely unable to walk. I came out fine but she has had problems for the past 20 years. She's better by far than she was but has problems with numbness.

I think like amny other surgical procedures, orthopedics has had a quantum leap forward in the past 20 years and every year brings on newer and better techniques.

Let us know what's happening.

Spaw