David,
Your strategy seems sound and conservative.
As you may know, there are actually many variants of a "microdiscectomy", all of which will likely contribute to your post-operative outcome. There are different surgical tools, techniques and of course the surgeon's skills employed in the procedure. Here's one example:
Two-year outcome after lumbar microdiscectomy versus microscopic sequestrectomy
http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f50...2008-feb-4891/
If the spinal disc height and health is good, it may be prudent to have a consult with a highly experienced surgeon -- one who specializes in microdiscectomies.
Concurrently, keep working on non-surgical remedies. Some folks here have avoided surgery by using traction (or inversion), juicing and extreme diet improvements.
Did you have chronic back pain prior to your herniation?