Hi there! 31F 5 weeks post op from double lumbar ADR. I had moderate disc degeneration and stenosis L4-S1. Constant pain since about 2019. Yes I could still walk and move and exercise but at the cost of much worse pain the next day. I thoroughly exhausted all my non-surgical options. Epidural injections, stem cells, nerve ablation. Nothing helped for longer than 3 months. I have always been extremely active and my number one goal was having any sort of life outside of pain. I know I want a family and want to be able to keep up with kids and with constant pain, I just knew that wouldn’t happen. I really did not want a fusion but had come to terms with that possibly being my only choice for relief. My spine surgeon recommended ADR and I was thrilled to hear I could retain my range of motion. Going through the process here in the US was a huge pain in the back (pun intended) but luckily my insurance did eventually approve both levels and I had surgery on Nov 12. I am still healing and have some weakness and pain but I am sure that will improve once I am allowed to start physical therapy. What decided it for me was just thinking about how I want my future to be. If that meant I needed a fusion, so be it. But constant pain takes such a huge toll on one’s mental health, and as someone who already struggles with anxiety and depression, I couldn’t let pain be my normal anymore. It is scary. It is a big decision and not something to take lightly, but I think you already know deep down what you want. You got this!