I had the L5 S1 disc surgery in '99
The pain was so bad, I had to crawl on all fours, to get around the house.
I had a Doctor that would only prescribe PT and Rx.
He treated me like an HMO client.
After a painful ordeal on the hard MRI table, I took the pictures directly to the Emergency room at Good Sam Hospital.
The MRI showed the disc Half way through the nerve. Even I could see that.
I had the surgery done by the head Neurologist.
He described the surgery as taking the disc out , trimming it down and putting it back.
I fired my old Doctor.
Recovery is slow, nerves heal about an inch per year, I was told.
I still remember the bizarre Sci-Fi dreams from lack of sleep, Pain, and Narcotics.
I ended up with a clump in my walk from not being able to control my right foot. that lasted about a month.
I think it was about 2 months before I returned to work. So I hope you have plenty of Sick Leave.
I don't want to scare you, but in my case, I wish I had it done years earlier.
If you need it , get R done.

BTW; I was in great shape at the time, not to discount the importance of staying fit.