Life after discectomy?

Started late in life and was loving every minute but managed to hurt myself ending in a L5S1 discectomy a couple of days ago after the pain levels went thru the roof. Am seriously depressed that I may not be able to return to he gym after this. Anybody have any experiences to share or offer a ray of hope? I wasn't doing any heavy duty lifting but was in the best shape of my life when this injury struck. my question is. Is there any hope of returning to the gym and carrying on with a reasonable workout routine or is the future life as a couch potato?

I have had a partial discectomy in the same area.

I wasn't training then so it had several years to heal up
but I am training now and have been lifting heavy (for me) for the last 5 years.
you may never lift power lifter weight but you should be able push your muscles for mass just fine.

I had a laminectomy/partial discectomy in '99. I've also had a shoulder and 5 hernia surgeries. I should have quit weightlifting a long time ago. Heck, I should have just quit working/paying taxes and gone on federal disability. I've got plenty of whaaa, whaaaaa stories!

-----Keep It Moving!

i had 1 back/almost paralyzed car accident perm back injury , high blood pressure, diabeties, fatty acid liver desease, mid back permanent disk injury from car accident, 3 neck disk permanent from 2 nd car accident, 2 shoulder surgeries last 2 years and bicep re=attachment , all this within last 6 years...so i know what not working out and feeling like i never will workout feels like, now i;m back to my high school weight and plan on putting on 30 more pounds of muscle....i dont want to be a couch potato

Hope this helps, good luck :)

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