[Maria]

Gil,
I don't remember if you've had SI joint pain/dysfunction before or not though now I remember that I did for a long time so when my doctor suggested a 3level global fusion back about 2000 he also mentioned fusing the SI joints because he said that it's common for persons w/multi level lumbar fusions to end up w/SI joint pain afterwards... of course I didn't do the fusion or any other recommended surgery to date.

Oops that title isn't right for what I'm writing. I was going to say not to get discouraged by what you're hearing re surgical recommendations. If you have findings and complaints there probably will be a variety of recommendations. Continued good luck w/upcoming consultations and although it might sound like it I'm not trying to steer anyone else out of surgery just into careful consideration (which obviously you're into) re choices re recommendations.