My father had mentioned reading about it just before I had the MRI, at the time I never expected I would be needing it, or would be having it done a few weeks later, it's so new here that if I had been evaluated a couple years earlier, fusion may have been my only option.
By chance the Dr I was referred to is one of the best in the USA for the surgery, I think my sister found he was in top 10.
Hopefully multiple replacements will eventually be allowed in the USA, currently if I ever need more done I would have to go outside the USA to have done to avoid fusion surgery. From what I researched, Germany is supposed to be best, Mexico cheapest.
Recovery time is roughly half that of fusion, and you don't lose mobility, less complications, apparently safer, etc.
First disc replacement was done around 1982, first in USA was around 2008.
Haven't noticed any tremors with my right hand / arm since surgery.
Hopefully can be fursuiting again in a couple weeks, but think probably another month or 2 before I can ride motorcycle again.