I've had 4 back surgeries, the last to insert a titanium device (Coflex) to maintain space where discs have degenerated into nonexistence.
I'm still one step away from the inevitable fusion so I can't help you much.
All I can say is that if you know for sure you're going to go for it, don't wait around, do it tomorrow.
I think I waited too long on the last one and did some permanent nerve damage that is not likely to regenerate at this age.
I can still hike, climb, mountainbike, snowshoe, ski, fight, *&(#, etc without limits but I'll never do it painfree again... well most of it ; - )