Recovery times for discectomy and microdiscectomy vary, with microdiscectomy generally offering a faster recovery. For microdiscectomy, patients often leave the hospital the same day or the next, with initial recovery taking about 2 weeks and full recovery within 4-8 weeks. Traditional discectomy may require 1-2 days in the hospital, with initial recovery of 2-4 weeks and full recovery in 6-8 weeks or longer. Both procedures allow for a gradual return to activities, with most patients resuming normal activities by 7-12 weeks post-surgery. However, individual recovery times can vary based on factors such as overall health and adherence to post-operative instructions. Patients should always follow their surgeon's specific guidelines for optimal recovery.