Thanks for your response. I know that no surgeon can commit to a specific outcome but I think it's reasonable to want a realistic assessment of possible outcomes. If I see one experienced surgeon at a major teaching hospital that recommends surgery and another equally credentialed surgeon who says no surgery how can i make an educated decision that, one way or another will impact me in such a profound way? I don't understand why information about the number of patients with comparable issues who experience an improvement, no improvement or deterioration is so elusive. My goal is utilizing evidence based medicine along with specific information regarding specific results from a specific surgeon. I don't expect predictions or guarantees but in my opinion, patients deserve all the available facts before arriving at a decision. When I ask a surgeon questions about how long are surgical patients are followed, how many require a second surgery, what is the best and worst outcomes of surgery, how often do they occur etc. there is resistance and I'm told as you said "role the dice". Back surgery is a big deal and I really don't know how to proceed without some data. I think patients have the right to all available information.