Update

It's now been over 2 and a half years since I had my operation and as of now (touch wood) I feel fine. Importantly I have no back pain at all. Thankfully this has been relieved and I can move around with ease. I am a bit stiff and have lost a certain amount of flexibility particularly bending forward but have no discomfort. I exercise regularly, mainly walking which I try to do everyday. I regularly walk home from my office which is about 11 km (in Bangkok that's enough) In 2016 I clocked up over 1600 km of walking and am aiming for 1700 this year. I haven't been out on the bike much but that has been mainly due to the increase in walking and some personal circumstances (school runs etc) but I have bought a bike trainer and use this often. I would sat I am now fitter than I was before the operation as i know that I can;t afford to put on more weight and must protect the back as much as possible. Overall I only have positives to say and am now only visiting the doctor once a year for check ups.