Hi Lori. My husband had surgery in March of this year. He had a herniated disc in his lower back. L-5 S1 and bulging in L4-5. He had a lumbar laminectomy. This is basically right above the tailbone. He is not back to work and is in pain off and on. He told me that the pain before was unbearable but to answer your question, he is not completely pain free and is still seeing the Dr. and having more tests done. I wonder if he would have been better off not having the surgery, but he said he could not stand the pain and he was taking Endocet and Percocet and still feeling pain. Hope you all the best of luck in whatever you decide.