This thread is perfect timing for me. I am going to meet with the neurosurgeon on Monday. I have a blow out at L5-S1. This has been some great reading.
After trying many other methods of recovery for severely herniated discs, including yoga, injections, chiro, etc, I had the surgery on L4-L5, L5-S1 in 2015. It worked like a charm. Recovery was rough and it was much more painful when I came to than I was expecting. Take the recovery very slow, do the PT, don't rush anything. I went through two Drs. before I found the one I trusted.