REMOVED, it turns out that some go in and take some disc material out, others do minimal and try to just remove the herniated part, and even others take the whole nucleus of the disc out, but that is the least for patient satisfaction. I've read tons of the med abstracts and trials on the surgeries to see what the norm is, how they do it and what the reprocussions are in the studies for pain and reherniations.
The larger the defect in the disc the more likely chance of rehernations they say. And it takes the sciatic nerve (at the thickness of your thurab) 2" per month to heal, at which the sciatic nerve is 4 feet long, so give yourself time on your foot and other pains.
My doc didn't even talk about the artificial disc, just said no. But I have 3 discs that are degenerated and also some arthritis and some other stuff back there I dunno. I read on the discs, it's a big deal to get them in there that's for sure, ask how long (if it comes to that) that they last and when/if it would need replacement due to your age.
I just am so sick of this back crap and now a fusion? I knew it was coming, just hits harder on the mind when it comes out of the surgeons mouth versus what you know from reading and evaluating your own MRI prior to the appointment.
Glad that the seroma went away and didn't need draining! I swear we got the crap end of the stick in the luck department. lol