@catheem I wish you could talk to some of his patients and get some advice from "real" patients but I wouldn't know how to do that. Sounds like you have a lot of determination and I think you will do fine because of that. I wish I had some of that dedication to lose weight. I did try the butt exercises and it helped temporarily, but doctor said mine was severely diseased and I don't have much choice. Sounds weird but when he said that, I felt a little relieved and justified in the awful pain I have been in. I have found it doesn't get better (permanently) which was what I was hoping and praying for with the exercises. Maybe it does for someone that isn't too far gone. I have resigned myself to the inevitable surgery. I am in such pain now with every step, I also don't have much pain when I am not walking but if I move the wrong way it's like lightening! I pray it all works out for you, can't imagine the spinal fusion, ouch! My Dr. told me he would give me a block that would last 48 hours but then his nurse clarified 24-48 hrs, so I guess it's a crapshoot. Let us know about the Iovera. It has been a year since I had it and it is still a little numb and a little pain when I push a certain area but nothing mind-blowing. But it did not numb the area that was painful, it was completely a failure with me but I really have heard of some that did great, I hope you are one of them.