[brookside]

(While it's clear you've done a ton of your own research for your own case.)

Steve Kerr's advice after his own back surgery complications (albeit microdiscectomy, not a laminectomy) make me hesitant:

"If you're listening out there, if you have a back problem, stay away from surgery... Rehab, rehab, rehab. Don't let anybody get in there."

[ortusdux]

I helped a friend through a microdiscectomy, and it could not have gone better. Laparoscopic procedure, short recovery, lifechanging reduction in symptoms. The biggest hurdle was that their insurance required PT/rehab prior to authorization, even though all the experts involved agreed that it would not help.

[vitally3643]

This kind of comment is only marginally better than "well, I asked ChatGPT and...."

You acknowledge the parent commenter knows more than you, but you decide it's somehow helpful to post contradictory information anyway sourced from someone else who also likely knows more than you.

[matwood]

You don't have to listen to Steve Kerr. Every back doctor I have seen has said the same thing - surgery is the absolute last resort. I was fortunate that the epidurals worked for me, because it was the worst pain I have ever felt.

[BrandoElFollito]

It's a good idea to ask a few AIs to get extra feedback. They may be wrong, your doctor may be wrong -- it is better to have a set of inputs and, to some point, check it against sources.