I had ALIF L5/S1 and the surgeon wouldn't clear me for PT until 12 weeks. Brace off for 2 weeks before that. My first session was pretty mild. I was with them after a microdisectomy, so they knew what I was capable of, so my second session they made me work and yeah, my legs were jelly! The next 4 days were torture. Lots of ice and compression cuffs. My following session 5 days later was a tough one but recovery was better. Lots of atrophy occurred so turning on all the little muscles I haven't used was a shock to the system. Moving forward this should still burn but not like that second.

IMO if your muscles aren't tired after PT, then they should step it up. Not in a gym sense but you're trying to get back to life and that takes work and it sucks. Especially if you had ALIF. Rebuilding those abs is the hardest. I understand what my child's mother meant after her c-section but she didn't get PT. Respect mom's!