Hi Tam,
My trial was proposed by my surgeon a few years ago. At that time, I had already been fused L4/S1 but still had lingering sciatica pain. I had my fusion hardware surgically removed which helped some. My understanding is that I likely had so much scar tissue that was pushing on my nerves. Long story of five surgeries that took place throughout the course of five years. My pain management doc, who gave me many steroid injections, also recommended a Spinal Cord Stimulator.
It was the surgeon’s office though, that once I decided to go for a trial, got the ball moving. The trial was done under mild sedation by the pain management doc at a surgery center. Leads were put into my spine at approximately bra line and attached to an external battery pack on my lower back right side. That was all taped to my back so I couldn’t shower for the 5 days of the trial. I had another external remote unit on which I could change the program and intensity that I carried in a belted pack.
It was understood that after evaluation of the trial the surgeon would be the one to complete the placement of the permanent SCS.
Since I did have 70% relief with the trial, I chose to go forward with the SCS surgery.
Hope this answers some of your questions. Best of luck!