I am facing the exact same fusion of T10-S1 in the near future so this is very helpful! I was told by the surgeon that total recovery takes about a year. Dr Justin Smith at UVA will perform the operation, and according to research on the internet he is supposed to be one of the 18 best neurosurgeons in the US. He was partially trained at Mayo. I am holding off until the pain gets too bad to bear because I can still walk about 100 ft before the sciatica sets in, and can therefore function OK around the house.
When I had a laminectomy 10 years ago in WA, they had a great pre- and post- operation orientation program so you knew what to expect. Every hospital should have that! But that surgery caused my left leg to become numb, which most of it still is, so that was not exactly a success! They also told me I would need more extensive surgery 10 years later which is the point I am at now.
Based on the last experience I am familiar with long recoveries and am definitely not looking forward to more surgery.
I do hope it will have been worth it for you and would love to hear about your future recovery.
I am 77.