Question
I am scheduled for surgery (which apparently takes about 1-1/2 hours) on May 23.  I am curious as to recovery time with other patients; the doctor claims I will be walking easily without pain afterwards.  I am scheduled for a trip to Europe June 29.  Naturally I want to be well asap.  

Answer
I can not give you an exact answer.  Everybody heals at different rates.  I'm sorry but it is not ethical in my eyes to give a patient that information because what if you are still in pain, who is to blame?  This is a major surgery, yes you may be up walking, but I wouldn't guarantee it pain free, then you are planning on sitting on a plane for how many hours, sitting is the worse thing you can do for you back, especially after surgery.  I'm sorry but I don't know what else to tell you.  Good Luck!!

Dr. Starbuck