@day0718 You are doing the right thing in asking specific questions. Your surgeon is right about the risks you are facing now prior to surgery. I know it is a tough decision. I kind of felt the same way prior to my spine surgery and I was facing some spinal cord compression at one level and I had a lot of fear about surgery. I worked through my fear and I knew the earlier the better as far as the success of the outcome would be. My surgery was relatively simple, but my fear was off the charts. Working through all of that changed my life for the better and I have no regrets. Every patient and case is different and it always is a big decision. I hope you get your second opinion soon. Waiting until summer next year doesn’t sound so good. Is there another place to seek the second opinion, perhaps at Mayo as you mentioned? You really will be in good hands at Mayo. All of my surgeons there have been excellent for spine and for my ankle fracture.