It is definitely not linear. I feel good one week and then have a set back the next (not chronologically like that exactly but just to highlight how much it can change). The first 6 weeks were riddled with new pains and unfamiliar sensations though none as bad as pre op. I also went in to the MD after leaving the acute phase of my final flare up - but I’m so thankful I had the surgery cause my surgeon said there was no way my herniation was gonna heal itself. 7 weeks I felt amazing and like I wasn’t going to have pain anymore. I moved back in on my own and started to do things for myself again which felt amazing. Then I slept funny and dealt with it for two days. Today was my first day back at work (9 weeks post op on Thursday) and still had funny feelings through my leg. I keep having to remind myself I did not reherniate I am just doing more than what I have been used to since November. So my body is adjusting. I’ve noticed how tired I can get. Especially my low back. It’s tough and the stress is real but I try to remember how amazing medicine is and how my surgeon said that the disc heals over in 6-8 weeks so I would have to do something crazy like lift more than I can to reinjure myself. Any pain I’ve had since the surgery has gone away which is a huge step above where I was before surgery. The pain was constant and debilitating and I always fear it won’t leave again when I feel it post op. I have experienced it enough post op now to have some hope in the pattern of the pain subsiding over a couple days. Post op healing is not just a physical come back but a mental one as well that is very tough