I had T3-L5 fusion with instrumentation in 2011 when I was 58. The surgery took 10 1/2 hrs with a 4 1/2 hour follow-up surgery a month later. It has been very challenging not bring able to bend or twist at the waist. My scoliosis kept progressing so I felt surgery was the only answer. I am only truly comfortable when reclined in my recliner. As I have aged I now walk with a forward leaning posture which i was hoping to avoid. I was not able to return to work as a bookkeeper.