I was 58 y/o (2013) when I had a ruptured disc at S1/L5. X-rays showed my lumbar spine to be a mess - scoliosis, stenosis, spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slipping over the vertebra beneath). The first surgeon I saw would only do fusion, nothing else. (At the time, I couldn't stand up for more than a minute or so and had pain in my right hamstring. Pretty classic sciatica, along with a ruptured disc.)

I got a second opinion and that surgeon decided to try a laminotomy first at S1, L5, and L4. A laminotomy is a minimally invasive removal of bone (the lamina) from the back of the spine. It's kinda like drilling a hole in the back of the vertebrae to 1) make more space for the nerves being squeezed by stenosis (in my case this was arthritis), and 2) use the holes to remove the ruptured disc material and bone spurs.

Well it's been 11 years and all the pain I was experiencing went away after the surgery. Recovery took only a few days - mostly referred pain in my right leg from the movement of the nerves, and I had to take my time sitting down on a chair.

During the last three years, I have been working out everyday for cardio (heart) and strength, primarily my core. My current surgeon tells me my core is holding my lumbar spine together and he has encouraged me to continue my work in the gym. I turn 70 in two months. Over the last year, I have also dropped from 190 lbs to 160 lbs (I'm 5'10"). I go to a spin class 3 or 4 times a week and also work with a personal trainer.

So don't believe anyone who tells you that significant weight loss is impossible after 65. It is possible if you are willing to 1) take an honest look at your diet and make necessary changes (for me it was cutting out almost all refined sugar) and 2) doing a lot of hard cardio work, elevating your heart rate over 30 minutes or so, and a lot of sweating.

I got rid of all the fat in my torso and on my hips. This is called "visceral fat" and it surrounds organs in the torso. Too much is deadly and at least among most of my contemporaries at the gym (men over 65), very common. Maybe it's a male thing, but these guys don't want to do the hard cardio work necessary. My spin classes are 90% women, so all I can say is that the women are a lot tougher than the guys.

Anyway, it's amazing what we can do at any age with a little luck and a lot of hard work. I know that's not possible for everyone - I don't mean to be insensitive. Just take an honest look at your life, and make any necessary changes. You will feel great, and proud!