B: You're smart not to rush in to anything and I'm sorry you're here, so young, with DDD. I have no answers other than to get ~ 3 opinions from Maven docs who'll give you time, to write everything in advance and bring a smart friend. You might want to see a pain mgt. specialist.
The world of pain control is controversial. Some say that long-term opiate use is relatively OK while others are very squeamish due to tolerance and narcotic hyperalgesia concerns. One question to ask is if the surgery will help your pain. Heck, I'm tons older than you and I'm still swimming w/info, confusion - but I'm slow by nature. But first are the NSAIDS - with proton pump inhibitors and ask how well this protects your lining. Also, PT, etc.
My best..