What does it mean if the neurosurgeon just recommended laminectomy for l5-s1 herniated disk w/leg sciatica?

You'll be better soo: You have leg pain and a appropriate disc herniation he will make a all hole in your spine and remove th out of place disc piece and you be better barring conplications.

Expected outcome : The implication is that the surgeon thinks that your long term outcome for a symptomatic disc herniation would be optimal by removing the disc herniation to take pressure off the compromised nerve root.

Laminectomy: is where they cut the bone off of the spine. Since the spinal canal is a fixed space in order to make more room they may need to cut out some bone to create a void to allow more room for the nerves and herniated disc.

Discectomy: A lumbar microdiscectomy is a common procedure for treatment of a herniated disc that has failed appropriate conservative care. Check out Spine-health.com.