Do what they say and heal up! My wife had an L5-S1 fusion a year ago so I know what you're dealing with.
On the not lifting part:
A friend of mine had kidney stones blasted and fished out last year. Afterwards the doc told him not to lift anything over five pounds for a week. Being a bit of a smartass, he says, "well how am I supposed to take a leak if I can't lift anything big?"
The doc didn't miss a beat. He replied,
"Just have your wife hold your belly out of the way"
