Hi Katiejo59 - My back surgery in 11/2011 was a culmination of my problems over years. Was an RN in hospital areas that did require physical work (43 years worth). Had bulging discs, ruptured discs, significant spinal stenosis, DDD and yes, spondylolisthesis. Also had synovial cyst at L4-5 which ruptured and bled into spinal cord area, which cause severe acute pain, leading to my decision to have the surgery THEN instead of possibly a few months later. I was 61 at the time. Officially it was removal of the cyst sac and a TLIF (translumbar interbody fixation) at several adjacent levels, L side and R side both, though not exactly same levels. Would have to look it up as memory for all involved levels a bit fuzzy by now. When I started to have more issues in the last two or so years, getting MUCH more severe last year - limping, occ cane use, needed wheelchair in airport, significant pain, I was getting pain management (getting by on 1-2 Vicodin by evening, plus daily dosings of aspirin and ES acetaminophen, ice, heat, stretching. BUT was profoundly impacting my daily life. Hard to go for walks, flower garden, etc. More surgery eventually advised, more fusion levels and I just didn’t want to do it again. So I researched and ended up opting for spinal cord stimulator. I am happy with my decision, it has helped greatly. If I need anything it might be aspirin (daily adult two tabs) which has always helped me more and with less side effects than any other NSAID (tried them all!). I might take 1/2 tab lowest dose Vicodin for neck pain at bedtime occ. Refuse to have more surgery on it for several reasons. As to how to make decision re back surgery vs helping vs being worse off - get several opinions. Remember, surgeons will promote surgery , it’s their job! But a quality surgeon will not push you into it! ALL surgery has risks associated with it, that’s the truth.