Jingleman
Had laminectomy/microdiscectomy in'06. As Gary described; recovery was short. It did not work for me however as I needed a fusion in same place (L5/6) within 2 years.Unfortunately the nerve damage was done by the time the mechanics were stabilized and I still suffer with pain.

So my advice to you is don't put it off before too much damage is done. Recovery from fusion is longer.

Jim,
I had c5/6 fused in 2010 also..I'm full of hardware.