Recovery from back surgery can be difficult. I had a fusion done on my neck and within a month I was bugging my boss to let my come back on light duty. Three months after the neck I had another fusion done at T12-L1 and that, though a simpler surgery, required a full three months with much more physical therapy. I've been told that the lower you go the tougher the recovery. Just be sure to watch your posture at the building table.