I had the band aide surgery with a very good Neurologist. All Orthopedic Drs. I had consulted with told me I needed to have poles, nuts , bolts, a cage etc, I have severe stenosis, scoliosis, spondylosis .herniated and bulging disks, my spine has shifted so much as well as my rib cage, I have a huge painful bulge in my back, as well as my spine protrudes though my back and is very visible looks like it will pop through my very thin skin.. . and horrific stenosis.. which is now worse a year after my least invasive band aide surgery. What my Surgeon did I really do not know, he did a 3 level laminectomy and a lot of arthritis. The band aide surgery was not out patient for me. I was there 3 days in the hospital . When I awoke the pain was horrific, the Dr gave me Demerol shot, and I asked for an ice pack.. during my time there I used all of their ice and ice packs,, it was my only relief .. The next day PT came to get me up . I refused the day before, which is not normally me, but I couldn't move,. After my walk on the walker I told PT I could do more.. then the nerve pain in my leg became intolerable. at that time my Dr, ordered morphine shot, then a pump. then the Pharmacist overruled the Dr and gave me a shot every 30 min, I finally must have been knocked out as I dont remember anyone after `10 pm.. I went home the next day,, I live alone , had the dog at a place. But by that weekend I was up and shopping which was literally 5 or 6 days later.. I did my Pt faithfully and was back on my treadmill slowly for 2 hours a night, I was good... Somewhere about 5 ot 6 months ago the sciatica came back, and with a vengeance. as well as the pain in my back,,. I trudge through it, try to stretch it out but I can feel something went really wrong inside,, I am having an MRi next week to find out, I will have surgery again of thats what I need.. I wish you well , Band aide may work for some but it all depends on the severity of your issues.. Mine were and are very bad, I am 62 and 5 years ago I was told I had the spine of an 85 year old woman. and the Ortho showed me the pics of one. I have survived Stage 4 metastatic lung to colon "terminal cancer" and a year plus of intense chemo,. which I believe has damaged my bones and joints. and my spine,,, I remain active,, but geez when my heating pad is my best friend it becomes a depressing thought. I can;t even walk in a store with out a basket with out severe pain. Living with chronic pain like this it too much,,, This time I will py much more attention to what my Dr is doing and suggests because I am more educated now and I come first,, before I was helping my Mother with my Surgeon and I was dismissed as I have been consumed with her care.. I have had to take a step back from the all consuming job of caring for elderly parents who didn;t plan.. when that is the case it is easy to add anger and so much stress which makes ones own health take a toll.. I wish you relief ,, none of us should have to wake up every day to this. best to you. J