spilledbeans

I can be okay with this if the alternative is 0% charity. As long as there is a net gain, I don't care if they are just doing it to look good (which I am not convinced of.)

I know you can't give medical advice. I'm looking for a more general answer, but I am going to give the details to explain why I'm asking.

At what point are lifestyle changes just not going to cut it as a viable alternative to surgeries on the back? (Obviously, they should still be made, but when does a person who is seriously changing all of their bad habits have to really consider surgery?)

I have had chronic pain for the last ten years (I'm 26.) It's just recently started affecting my nerves, mobility, stability, etc. I just quit smoking and drinking alcohol. I'm overweight, and very slowly losing weight and generally just trying to make better health choices. My GP seems to think I can completely avoid surgery by just making lifestyle changes. I have a follow up with the orthopedic center soon, and since the "threat of surgery" has been looming over my head ever since a neurosurgeon mentioned it when I was 17, I just assume this is going to come back up. (I want to do anything possible to not have surgery. I'm terrified of the thought.)

(These are the dx on my chart: Lumbosacral Spondylosis Without Myelopathy; Spinal stenosis of lumbar region without neurogenic claudication; Acquired spondylolisthesis) And something I was told over the phone this past week after my Nerve Conduction Study/EMG was bilateral nerve impingement (I think).

Again, not looking for you to comment on my specific situation, just a general "In these types of situations, xyz would be when I'd seriously start considering surgery..." if you wouldn't mind.