what she had exactly? a disc hernia? a disc protrusion? which disc? L4-L5? L5-S1 ?
i never heard of that procedure. I'm gonna check it out, thanks for the tip
about your wife going back to the gym, strengthen the back without doing the obvious exercises (squat, DL) and dont pick weights from the ground up ever, ask for someone to put the weights in your hand when your in position. It sucks but the damaged discs will appreciate (even the healthy discs will say thanks, we all know the kind of stuff that ruptures discs and they will!).
I would basically avoid any exercise that puts axial load on the discs, that is, until you have a really strong back by doing specific back exercises. stretch your back and legs every day, but not to the point of making effort (stop when feeling any sort of pain) and let it go slow. A few months in and she will feel great.
thats what I'm doing anyways.
good luck