I have had 3 surgeries in the last 10 years on my lower back. Started with a herniated disc from a fall and they picked 25+ fragments of vertebrae I had crushed with the 1st. That was at 23. 2nd was at 26 and same thing. Finally had 11 hour lumbar fusion last year where they inserted 6 screws and two rods fusing L4, L5, and S1 together. I had tried every medication, therapy, and procedure known to man prior to fusion and neurosurgeon hated to do such a serious surgery on a 32 year old but being it was inevitable I went ahead and had it done.
When you have diagnosis that it's degenerating then it's just matter of time for most from what I know but I'm not a dr or expert by any means. Physical therapy did the best and strengthening the core muscles helped stabilize my back. I'm 11 months from my fusion and I'm better but will never be "normal" again. I lost my ability to play golf which I was about a 5 handicap but I now have found a home in USPSA Production shooting with no issues.
The heal time for everyone is different. Having the right dr. is "key" in my opinion, one who will listen and exhaust all alternatives and means to get you back to a somewhat normal daily life. Wish you the best of luck!!