My pain level is doing fairly well, all things considered.
I am having more right sided sciatic nerve pain now than I had before surgery, but I'm unsure why that is..
I don't know if that's because it just got a little irritated during surgery but wasn't fixed by surgery, or if it was one of the nerves that was fixed during surgery (all pinching removed) and is irritated a bit due to that but will be expected to completely heal with time.
I will say I was having small patches of right leg and foot numbness along the line of this nerve in the hospital, so I'm happy to say there's positive progress anyway (pain only in back/hip, all numbness gone), whether it's more painful now or not where this nerve is concerned...
As far as my back surgical pain, I think its not terrible...

I am still using my walker, although I've managed a couple times now without it. Plus, I'm definitely resting well...
Im doing really well all things considered.. very happy with the progress I've made. I can get in and out of bed 90% of time without any help and can even do some things for myself like go to the bathroom and get my own coffee..
That's a definite plus in my book!