Great discussion. I think it really comes down to personal choice and weighing all pros and cons. As a former German and now Canadian, after much research and some deliberation, I decided to use the Canadian health care system and get my M6 ADR in Calgary by Dr. Bouchard.
So far I have no regrets for my decision as far as surgeon is concerned. Would surgery in Europe been better? I think that there are too many variables to be able to say. European surgeons definitively have more surgeries under their belt but all things being equal, they have no more control over nature. Being risk of: infections, hematomas, subsistence, degree of distraction pain and just generally your body's ability to heal given your age, weight and prior history of back problems.
In addition, physio protocol seems to make a big differences and there are different approaches used all around. Dr. Bouchard's view was to do no physio until 6 week post op followed by a gradual and gentle ramp up in streching and core strengthening.
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2011 - onset of lower back pain during hot yoga
2011 - 2013 Treated with massages, chiro and physio - pain getting progressively worse
2013 - Xrays normal
Dec 2013 - MRI showed moderate DDD @ L5/S1 - modic type 1 endplate changes - remaining disks well preserved 
Jun 2014 - became patient at Caleo clinic
Jan 2015 - first consult with surgeon
May 3, 2016 - L5/S1 - M6 - ADR in Canada (Calgary, Alberta)
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