Bob you are making the right decision to get your back taken care of now then to wait any longer. I let mine go for about 7 months and caused nothing but more pain. I am 21 and have had a bad back since I was 18 because I tried to wait it out. But trust me after the surgery you will feel a lot better, after a few weeks. Dr. Raisis from Seattle did mine and is an excellent doctor, even though my back still is kinda bum. But my back was a lil too torn up to completely heal everything.... damn nerves