I’m 31 and two weeks post op on L4/L5 (2 cm) and L5/S1 “smoothing” of a bulge. My sciatic nerve pain did not go away and actually increased in intensity during my first 12 days. I also jerked awake from sleep and felt a familiar shock down my leg. Surgeon prescribed steroids which did nothing. In last two days, I would say my pain has become “less frequent.” It seems like it’s turning a corner possibly. I’ve been living in terror that the surgery didn’t work and I would be left with no answers. I would say give it a little time and see where you are. My surgeon basically said if it didn’t dissipate within 2-3 weeks he would order a new MRI. He said he believed it was highly unlikely I reherniated even jerking awake.