At 29, I collapsed in a Target. I was just standing there and my lower half buckled. I was taken out on a stretcher because I could not move from the pain. That's the day I was dx with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis grade 2 with pars defect, bulging disc, no disc, deteriorated disc. etc. I was told that I was born with it, it happened when I had my first child (after which I started experiencing a lot of lower back pain), or hurt myself at some point. When I was 5, I woke up and couldn't move. So who knows. I'm 59 now. No surgery. I was in great shape at 29. Dr. told me he could put a rod in me, flip me over and put in a few silicone discs and there would be a 50/50 chance it would help. That was a no for me. I was not careful of how I worked out. I continued to do what I'd always done until I was in my 40's. I gave up kick boxing and tai Kwon do and eventually skating and skiing; golfing. I walk now. I ride a bike, and I swim. But I'm no longer in great shape. Thu the pain and the years, I've put on a lot of weight. I hurt so I don't move, I don't move so I gain weight. etc. I take Methadone now. I've been on it since 2008. I could barely walk anymore when I started taking it. I'm on 7 mg a day. I started skating again this year because my back has not changed a whole lot in the last 30 years. The spondy is stable. I have more nerve pain but it's not the worst part for sure. I just have to not be on my feet too long and not sit in the same position too long. I continue to work, but I'm fortunate that I work for me so I work around my back.
There's a group on facebook with people who've had surgery. I joined some years ago and hearing their stories talked me out of surgery. I may need it soon. I'm putting it off as long as I can. I'd hoped that by the time I was "older" the surgery would be better, but it seems to be the same! Anywho, I think you can go years without surgery. And it doesn't look like you'll be carrying babies, so maybe you'll never need it!