I had some pretty stong flareups about 6 to 12 weeks after my lumbar surgery. Very painful and disabling but they cleared up by rest (about 1 to 2 weeks each) and seemed to come form the level above the surgery but I also "over did" a little and think it was muscle related pain getting those unused muscles used to working again.
Listen to your body when it hurts then rest for a couple of days and no lifting small appliances this early in your recovery
