Hi everyone
thanks so much for your replies, very helpful. I should have mentioned my job, I am an IT consultant, so the heavy lifting is restricted to my laptop, and twisting, turning etc is limited to my vigorous keyboard skills and coffee habits.
when I had my first surgeries I too had been employed at the same place for a long period and they were very accomodating in terms of a return to work. Possibly trying to avoid a compo claim, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt because that hadn't even entered my mind until they joked about it much later. I am now working elsewhere and have limited leave available, hence my need to return asap. I would love to take a 2 month break and watch GoT all over again, but bills need to be paid etc...
I am currently working from home a lot, and hopefully will be able to continue that after the reversal, but I may need to travel interstate in Australia, which entails a 90 min car ride to Sydney airport and then 90 mins in the plane, and then taxi/car rides in Melbourne. My wonderful wife would be able to accompany me to carry bags etc and drive if necessary, so the effort on my part would be minimal.
So what I am hearing is that after 2-3 weeks pain management is the key, so not a million miles from my current situation, minus the porcelain bus rides. I am not stupid either so if I wasn't up to it I definitely wouldn't rush back. I have to have that discussion with my employer so perhaps they will surprise me and we can arrange for leave in advance...
thanks again, and if anyone else has more info would love to hear it, especially from down under!