It is hard to gear your results to someone else's due to surgical complications or recovery. Some have absolutely no problems with travel and some can't take being in a care for more than thirty minutes. Some of us have kids requiring much attention (I have four) and some have nine or that are fully grown. I was blessed to have a great support system each and every time I was having surgery or a bad day. I drive 45 minutes to work and 45 minutes home. My job takes a lot of mental and physical strength for I work in medical.
My realistic advice is to not compare your situation with anyone else and to make sure you take the necessary precautions, recovery time, and support system that you need. The more you put into recovery and the slower you handle the healing the stronger you will become. Your case will be different than every member in the forum because not one case is alike. So only you can set realistic expectations for life after surgery.
Tamena
Diagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve
Braced till age 15
SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)
Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)
Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)