@linda6101 Hello, Linda. I had what is referred to as minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion surgery (ALIF) about 5 months ago. The surgeon goes through an incision in your lower abdomen, about 3 inches long, right below the naval. This was for an L5-S1 fusion, so one point of my spine. There are other fusion surgeries that involve more than one joint in the spine, and they may not be referred to as minimally invasive, especially if surgery is through the back.