@centre You are right on target ~ and congratulations! Mine was done in 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (a teaching hospital) and, like you, I was so fearful of an outcome not worth the drives, appointments, tests, pre-op yada yada but really I had no choice but to do it (decompression and fusion L-2 to the sacrum). After years of spinal injections, which became less and less effective over time, there was no other option.
I will say there is a chance that any neuropathy that a person already has may progress post-surgery. Mine did, and I'd had it for at least 20 years before the operation. But still, the back pain before the surgery was worse than the neuropathy pain (feet, hands) that I have now, thanks to my pain doctor and neurologist working with me to fine-tune a treatment plan.
Blessings and peace to you,
Barb