What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery?

My surgeon says he hasn't my case to a forum of surgeons who specialize in spinal deformity. He may be one of them. I am 73. Not sure I want such an extensive surgery. I am in pain and leaning forward.

Hello, Be sure and specifically ask "How long will the fusions work?" " When I had my fusion surgery in approximately the same area as you, I remember the surgeon mentioning "the fusion should help me for about 10 years." I do NOT know why but I failed to ask "What happens after 10 Years?" For the last 8 years or so the pain directly in the L4/L5 area has gradually gotten worse. During this time I've done therapy, acupuncture, gone from surgeon to surgeon, countless injections, MRI's CT Scans, while doing all of this, it continues to get worse. Finally my Pain Clinic apologized but they had used everything "in their arsenal." I am on the strongest pain medication allowed by law. I can no longer stand up straight, I am literally looking down at the floor. I can only stand for 10 to 15 minutes using a can but the pain becomes SO intense I will go down. I finally got in to see a brain and spine surgeon who works with the Indiana Pacers (NBA). For the first time in a very long time I felt like there was hope. We were speaking the same language . MRI's X-Rays, injections, etc.. He finally told me, I had stenosis in my cervical, Degenerative Disc Disease arthritis throughout. He had hoped to ablate the nerve endings around the fusion area but because the injections didn't help, ablation wouldn't help. He apologized then said there was "Nothing he could do". I apologize for such a long answer. Just be sure and ask a lot of questions. What type of fusion does he want to use? Has he done this type of fusion before? How many? When was his first fusion procedure? How are they doing? Do not be afraid to ask, ask, ask. Even ask, if he would do this procedure on his children? etc.. Again, I apologize for going on and on. I just do not want ANYONE to go through what I am. I wish you all the best. God bless and don't be afraid to ask the Lord for guidance. I wish I would have! Good Luck!