I had my surgery done by Muir Orthopedics in Walnut Creek, CA.

I think it is the least invasive of the different procedures that can be done on the lower back (laminectomies, discectomies, fusion). A laminotomy removes part of the back of a vertebra, making room for the nerves that traverse the spinal canal.

Again, the first surgeon I saw would only do fusion, something I wanted to avoid. The second surgeon I saw said the laminotomy may not work, and if that happened, then fusion would be necessary. That was over 10 years ago and I haven't needed fusion. So it's just proof that a second opinion is always a good idea.

I have a very strong core and do something every day to keep it that way.