@sunnyanne I just wanted to welcome you with your first post. It sounds like you are doing a great job of researching what you need to know prior to a decision on surgery. I am a spine surgery patient, but mine was a cervical fusion. Severe stenosis can be very disabling. Surgery will initially increase the inflammation in your body and likely elevate your pain. I hope that will improve as you heal. It may help to work out a routine for relaxation as part of coping with the surgery and journey afterward. Hopefully members with related experience will join the discussion.