Your instructions were different than mine, I had my second fusion last July, 2023; both were done at Mayo Jacksonville. First time from L4-5, then the last time extending down to L5-S1.
Both times (different surgeons) I was told no bending lifting or twisting for 3 months, no PT until after 3 months, and only walking as much as I was able.
I’m not sure but I think PT may have been helpful if I started earlier.
I would try to get into Mayo again if I was you, I was denied three times before they took my case.
As for results- I am much stronger in the area of my fusion now. I can bend and move around for a longer period of time. I just came from shopping, where I walked around for an hour in the store, it was great to be able to do that!
But I still suffer from pain, not always the same area but the bottom of my spine when I lie down in the evening is so bad, I want to just curl up and cry with pain sometimes. I use the full back heating pad every night, it wraps from my neck down to my hips and helps a great deal.
Don’t beat yourself up, it’s a difficult surgery to recover from.
Now I’m trying to get help for my neck, hoping you can get your issues resolved!