Surgery vs. "Wait and See": Conflicted about my July microdiscectomy.
Hi everyone, hoping for some input from those who have been in a similar spot.
I’ve been dealing with a right-sided L5-S1 herniated disc since my back went out at the end of February. It’s been a rough few months, and after getting steroid injections at the end of March with absolutely zero relief, my doctor and I decided to schedule a microdiscectomy for July 9th.
Here’s where I’m conflicted: About three weeks ago, I finally started to feel some genuine improvement. Don't get me wrong—I’m not 100%. I still have lower back pain and sciatica, but the intensity is nowhere near where it was when I first booked the surgery.
Crucially, my symptoms are strictly pain-based—I don’t have any numbness, tingling, or weakness in my leg.
Because I’m finally seeing progress, I’m second-guessing whether I should go through with the surgery or try to hold off to see if it continues to resolve on its own. Has anyone else been in a position where they had a surgery date on the books but started feeling "better enough" to consider cancelling?
How did you decide if the surgery was still the right move when the pain began to subside? Any advice on what I should be asking my surgeon or what factors I should consider before I decide to keep or cancel that July date?
Thanks in advance.