Lumbar stenosis / lumbar spondylitis

I had a herniated disk L4/5 back in 1998. I’m not 62 yrs old and have lower back pain. Following a mri spine dr said that I have stenosis and spondylitis and that we can try injections (4 per year due to my insurance) . Last year I did injections. This year I feel like I am worse.
My spine dr said that we can continue injections hoping they give relief or we can do surgery. I’m honestly scared of the surgery the dr said a vascular surgeon goes through my stomach then they flip me over and finish the surgery thru my back has anyone had this surgery?? How bad is it? Long recovery? Lots of pain?? I need some cases of others having had this surgery.
Thank you in advance