Hi I am also a Mayo Spine surgery patient. I had spinal decompression C3-C5. I also had spinal decompression of L3-L4. I dont want to worry you or scare you in anyway, but it is a rough surgery . I also was losing feeling and strength on one side along with tingling in 3 of my fingers. It was also noted I had claudication in the cervical area compressing my spine to the point it could have left me paralyzed. My surgeon Dr. Clifton compared said if I did not do something I would be like Christopher Reeve ( the actor who played Superman) & be in a wheelchair. I had no choice Feb 2021 I had the cervical decompression without fusion but was told I may have to have it down the road. It was the roughest recovery I have ever had . I too was very active, but my whole life has changed . I am not the same as I used to be yes 6 weeks later in April of 2021 they decompressed my lumbar area. The recovery from that was a bit easier, but I was still trying to recover from the Cervical one . Again you will need help after the surgery as you can not move like you are used to until some nerves recover . If you have fusion of the cervical area you will absolutely lose some range of motion. It's been a battle for me as I am not the same person I used to be I have always been independent .I dont like to ask for help & wish I could return to the person I was . I had no choice or else I would be paralyzed. I am now facing another herniated disk in my neck cervical area which is causing problems & am hoping It won't lead to fusion because that is more of a recovery time . Again I dont mean to scare you and I dont want to sugar coat anything . Its rough I never felt so much pain in my life. But it was that or a wheelchair so I had to do it . My 2 Surgeons at Mayo were awesome Dr. CLIFTON who has since left he was awesome, and Dr. GREWAHL they both were wonderful. Now I am facing bilateral knee replacement as my walking gait has now inflamed my lower lumbar area and hoping I did not do any damage to it . It has been extremely hard to walk & am back to some tingling sensations. I wish the best for you & please make sure you have a good surgeon and do your research on hom or her . I have been lucky enough to have Mayo for my surgeons and primary care and they have been terrific and I cant thank them enough as for me I am just one of them complicated cases.