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Hi Patty,   I am an attorney from the OKC area and I had my L5/S1 Discectomy because of a lateral "free ruptured" non-contained L5 disc explosion that looked like a mushroom cloud on the contrast MRI against my spine. I have had back problems since a car accident over 7 years ago. I immediately had C5-C6 fusion and it was a wonderful thing. [Anyway, I digress.]   I had my surgery less than 13 days ago and I trust my surgeon with my life because he had already pieced me together cervically from the same accident with wonderful results. I am 50 years old and I am VERY proactive in my health care. I did not originally want the discectomy, because of years of handling client's PI cases with similar injuries and negative results, and research. I was trying to hang on for the disc replacement therapy but I didn't want to be the first generation. Okay, now after 13 days, my left foot, big toe and second toe from my big toe, have been alternating between being numb, on fire or dead and my sciatica from below my left buttocks to behind my left knee is just as severe as it was before the operation but it used to go down both legs and into my calves. I never had a problem with my foot before surgery and yet it is in all of the literature but no one bothered to mention it to me. It might have been nice to know, I'm not sure because by that time I was in so much pain that I would have allowed them to open me up with a "rusty" knife.   I go back tomorrow to see the surgeon and have my staples removed. I have questions but I also have knowledge and faith. I do NOT think it is a bad thing to question the "whys" of how our bodies are responding and I pray that you have a doctor and/or surgeon who provide you with the ability to read up on the medical journals and reports that are readily available on the internet. I believe that, with God's help, I can know more and ask more questions to assist the physician in allowing me to do everything I can do to help him make me and my recovery the best it can be. I am in the early stages but I have already read enough "studies" consistent with my profile, injury, treatment and prognosis to allow myself some distress. I know that it takes time.   I, like you, just wanted to know I wasn't alone and my fears weren't unwarranted and have somebody tell me that feeling 70 @ 50 won't always be that way but if it is then I'd rather know now than to wait 1,2,3 or 5 years to prepare my mind, body and soul, not to mention my spouse of 29 years of what my [our] future will be.  Sorry, I know this is kind of a rambling response... but I wish you well and I pray you obtain a full measure of recovery or, at least, a measure that will provide you with peace, comfort and contentment.   Hang in there and thank you for your post!!   Lynn in OKC