re: Has anyone on here had a fusion in your spine? Updated Pg 2

After years of suffering and fighting an L5-S1 herniated disc I had to have fusion surgery. For me, it was a fairly simple surgery(externally at least). They made about a 4 inch cut below my navel and a small 1 inch or so cut on my back.
I was up walking within hours of the surgery, in fact, it is highly recommended that you get up and walk as quickly as possible in most cases.

When I woke up in recovery I knew immediately that my issue had been fixed! For the first time in many years I didn't have pain going down my leg and my toes feeling like someone was hitting them randomly with a hammer.
Going on 10 years later and still no complaints at all. I get some soreness now and then right around the steel plate area but other than that my back pain and sciatica have not returned.

Recovery was a 1 night in hospital, few days in bed at home, then back to work with a brace. I was in a white-collar job so I went back to work after about 2 weeks. I would imagine a more physical job would require a longer at-home recovery.

I've had 2.
1 in my SI joint (low back) and C4/5
SI joint fusion in 2015 had me IN BED for about a month, then on crutches for another 2. Took about 2 years to feel like myself again.
C4/5 was in May 2020. Laid low for 3 or 4 days and did rehab at home. Wasn't bad at all.
Both surgeries have helped me. I will need another cervical fusion (C5/6) in the future but it wasn't warranted yet.
YMMV

Sorry, I should have provided more info.
I'm 37. Fusing L5-S1. I have a fracture causing pain in my back and down my legs. I do white collar work. No heavy lifting for me.