I know exactly what you are going through. I had surgery right before I turned 18 for two ruptured discs and one that was partially ruptured. I got to the point where it hurt so bad I was in tears. It's been ten years since my surgery and I still have alittle pain if I move the wrong way or pick up something wrong. It's alot better than what I was going through though. I had the same problem as you with the pain shooting down my leg. It is something I don't ever want to have again. My doctor said I could possibly have problems again by the time I'm 50.
On mine he said he completely removed the inside of the disc and only left the tough outer part. I don't know the actual name for it but it seems to have done the trick. He also said I have a narrow spinal canal and thats why I had problems so young.
I hope you recover fast. Just do what the doc tells you to do and everything should be fine.