@babette Hi there I understand what Ablations for herniated disc's & spinal stenosis do. I have had a total of 4 Ablations in my Thoracic Spine, 2 in my lumbar area & I too have lumbar stenosis in my lwr back. As well as I have 5 herniated discs in my cervical spine. In my opinion having chronic pain as a result has not been easy on any if us. However the question u want to know about spinal stenosis about having Surgery is it a fusion he wants to give you or what type of Surgery? Has your Dr. Told u what type of procedure this would be & what is the percentage of outcomes for this types of surgeries? Look we all have different issue's concerning our spinal issue's but please do not be ready to jump into surgery just because 1pain mgmt Dr says so. Get a 2nd & if necessary 3rd & 4th opinions when any type of surgical procedure is in question. Over my past 15yrs of misery dealing w/severe chronic pain as a result of my poor broken dwn spine, I was told by 2 Dr's to have a spinal cord stimulator not 1 but 2 put in. & another 2 Dr's told me I need a lwr spinal fusion & for my cervical as well. Well guess what I said no to all of them. I found a great Dr in NYC part of NY Langone Hospital system & he advised me to get on Medical Cannabis for pain & physical therapy & guess what it helps. As a matter a fact he advised me against Surgery. I'm glad I listened to him. So b4 you are ready to make that decusion get at least 2-3 more Dr's. Opinion b4 u do any type of surgery. Because once it is done there is no going back. I wish u well & hope u figure out what ur going to do? Take ur time & be safe.