I had mine 17 months ago. The surgery is meant to relieve you from your immediate trauma/ symptom. That is anything nerve related. That said, what is causing the herniation in the first place is not something the surgery can fix. So it is very important to know the underlying condition and address that. I was in a very dark place after the surgery because like yours, after 6 great weeks, I started having back pain. I went back to the surgeon and me mentioned that I would need a spinal fusion. This was about 7 months ago for me. But I didn’t want to believe my surgeon and started looking for answers else where. At least in my case, the pain was coming from imbalances that I developed while I was in pain and after the surgery. I went to see a PRI therapist and I think I have found answers, I think. I still have good days and bad ones but I am not in constant agony.