My mother is 81 years old with history of bypass heart surgery at 60years old and broken ankle with rod and pins around 45, breast cancer with lumpecotomy and radiation at 78. She had upper back surgery last year and now is considering lower back surgery on her L4 and 5 discs with metal rods. She can control her pain with Tylenol and is very sensitive to pain medications so doesnt want to take anymore than needed. My dad and her think surgery is their only option to get her up and moving around more and fear if she doesn't do it sooner than later she may not be a candidate. My sister and I fear she may have unrealistic expectations of the surgery and could possibly end up in worse shape and more pain. What are the success rates of this kind of surgery? Are there other options?