@speedy - I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

I exhibited many of the "severe stenosis" symptoms, some for decades. Upon the advice of doctors (who were also friends) I postponed surgery as long as possible using exercise, stretching, daily NSAIDs, etc to manage my discomfort. I have degenerative arthritis so I knew it was likely I'd degrade to the point of needing surgery, ultimately.

What tipped my personal risk management scale to "do the surgery" was when I started having sudden-onset leg numbness in both legs multiple times a day. I began to imagine myself falling down a flight of stairs.

The physiatrist was the third doc to view and opine on my back films - covering my entire spine. As a pain doctor, he had no motivation towards any one treatment direction so I felt his opinion was particularly "pure". Make sense?

I don't subscribe to the idea that all surgeons only want to do surgery to correct the problem. But it was comforting for an expert non-surgeon to make that recommendation.