I have to have back surgery, but I'm afraid about how long it will take to recover from it. Should I have it?

Only you and your doctor can decide if you should have back surgery, but there are some things you can discuss to help you make your decision.

Ask your doctor what he or she plans to do and how long this type of surgery usually takes. Ask about how long the usual recovery period is and what types of complications are most common. You can ask how many times your doctor has done this procedure and if there are any other ways that it may be done. Of course, you are always welcome to get a second opinion from another surgeon. This is often recommended to help people understand what needs to be done and to be sure that they are doing the right thing.