If you've had spinal surgery, some questions!

In one job I had I worked with a spinal surgeon, he was also an orthopaedic surgeon who went on to specialize in spinal surgery, His patients all did really well post-op, and never had any complications that I saw. He also used to operate on a lot of athletes and Olympians. He did back surgery on 2 of our gold medal swimmers, so he was always my first choice.
I saw him when I had an episode of loss of power in my left leg, but that ended up improving with conservative treatment.

Then 5 years later when I woke up in excruciating pain - he was overseas.
I ended up in ER and had a back-up neurosurgeon that I was referred to (that a friend had surgery with), the ER Dr was happy to refer me to him, but he recommended another surgeon on staff there, I asked him if that was just because it was easier or if he had a reason...he told me he sent his own mother to him to have her surgery. He was also an orthopod, who specialized in spines and was head of the spinal surgery unit.
I was admitted to hospital on a Sat at 10am and he came to see me 2 hours later. he answered my questions and I liked him, plus I couldn't walk so that sped up my decision.
Personally I don't think it matters as long as spinal surgery is their primary practice. I wouldn't go to an orthopod who does mainly joint replacements, nor would I go to a neurosurgeon who does mainly brain tumours.
If they are older and have plenty of spinal surgery experience, then they are both capable of doing the exact same surgery.
Also go with someone you have a rapport with, you need to feel relaxed and able to ask questions etc.

My decision to have surgery was swayed by knowing 2 people who also had back issues, who both didn't want surgery and pursued all the other options first - and they both had outcomes I wouldn't have been happy with. One ended up with a limp and one got addicted to pain meds and it took her a year to get off them again. And despite trying all the other stuff - physio, chiro, injections etc, both needed surgery at the end anyway.
I'm a "lets just get it over and done with in one go" type personality.

I had a decompression laminectomy at L4-5 & L5-S1 and a microdiscectomy.
I recovered really well, although initially the pain was still quite bad, at least I could walk to the toilet. I went to stay with my mother for 3 weeks after the surgery, my instructions were to go for short walks (inside the house) and to be in bed about 80% of the time.
I was on slow release narcotic pain medication for about 3 weeks and took regular OTC meds as well.
I saw him after two weeks and he was happy with everything and said I could gradually increase my exercise. I had no physio because my surgeon doesn't like them.
I stayed with my mother for another week and then went home alone.
I did get shopping and premade meals delivered for several weeks, and I gradually started going for short walks outside the house etc.

I'm a nurse, so obviously needed to be quite a lot better than people in other jobs before I could return to work. I had 3 months off, then started back on a return to work plan where I did one shift of 4 hours per week, then increased to 2x4hrs etc...over the next 6 weeks until I went back to my regular hours of 5x9hr shifts in two weeks.

If I over do it (for example a busy shift where I barely sit for 9 hours and almost do 10,000 steps), then I do get some pain in my back and down my leg...but that's fixed with some rest and OTC meds. I don't have any ongoing problems and no regular pain.
I have zero regrets about surgery, healed well, had no complications and no ongoing pain. I don't need to take any pain medication apart from occasional OTC simple pain meds.
I don't have the walking tolerance that I used to, and even 5 years later I am still mindful of how I move, I bend slowly at the knees, don't twist etc and I limit the amount (weight) I pick-up or carry (generally nothing over 5kg...except for the cat!) I never forget I've had surgery and even though mine was completely successful, I have no desire to do it again.

My son had a laminectomy and fusion when he was 25. He had it done at HSS and the doctor was an orthopedic specialist and did a great job.

My son has some residual back stiffness, but that is because the dr said he would have liked to fuse one more vertebrae but felt my son was too young and he didn’t want to do that at his age. 

If they are just doing a laminectomy, the recovery is much easier and quicker. With a fusion it takes longer. The first week was tough for him as the pain meds made him nauseous. Overall it took two weeks before he could be without his father or me caring for him. 

That was 14 years ago and he would 100% do it again. It made a huge difference. Personally, I’m a huge fan of HSS because that’s their specialty and I know several people who have had their surgery done there. We are on the East Coast and I’m not sure where their other locations are. 

I had a laminectomy between L4-L5 because a disc had ruptured. It was a fairly easy surgery and I did stay overnight just because I was the last surgery of the day. I had to wear a back brace for a couple of weeks but as soon as they removed the piece that was impinging on my sciatic nerve, I felt immediate relief. Walking as much as you can seems to be what the doctor ordered for me which wasn't much the first few days after the surgery but I gradually built up.

I had a laminectomy and spinal fusion last October. It's been almost one year and it is amazing how much better I am. It was literally the best thing I have ever done for myself. I used a neurosurgeon.

I had a couple of problems, severe spinal stenosis, and something called spondylolisthesis. It is when a vertebra slips out of place onto the vertebra below it. My nerves were being crushed causing severe pain, numbness and tingling.

It was a 6 week recovery. No bending, no lifting, no twisting, no driving. I was up and walking the day after surgery. Lots of walking was encouraged. 

Do get another opinion from a neuro surgeon… I am an OR Nurse with 40 years experience…..cannot hurt to get a different perspective. You need to make an educated decision!!