It sounds like you might have a bit of foot drop. Which is what led to my 1st (& 2nd) surgeries. I did have to wait 19 months from onset of symptoms to surgery, however... the waiting lists were mental at the time (10 years ago; I was in the area where the Head of Neurosurgery wasn't actually qualified, and did some terrible things to people.... thankfully not me!)
What I would recommend is, if you have it, throw some money at getting really good Physio input, to keep you as mobile and functional as possible. You need to keep as strong as you can, although it is painful. Check that the Physio has extensive spinal/disc herniation experience (they don't all have it), and really concentrate on that. They can make a massive difference. Even now, after 11 years of the pain, I notice the difference when I let it slip.
I would say that surgery isn't everything. If you can avoid it, my advice is, do that. I've had 4, and my surgeon says that, barring something fairly catastrophic, he won't go back in there.
No 1 was because of the foot drop, mainly. I also had numbness, and pain, of course. That was a microdiscectomy at L4/L5 & L5/S1; laminectomy, and nerve root decompression.
No 2 was 11 days later, because I re-herniated on day 7. It was a clean up of what had been done in No 1.
No 3 was 5 years ago, and I'd developed Cauda Equina, so was a middle of the night kind of thing.. GP to A&E, then transfer to a hospital with a neuro unit, then MRI, then decision for surgery. That was another microdiscectomy at L4/L5 & L5/S1, and nerve root decompression.
No 4 was 2 weeks later, as I developed a post-op infection, and a bunch of puss was seeping from my spinal column area. So, that was nice.
It might also be worth seeing if you can get any nerve root injections, which are a bit like an epidural for the nerve. I've had 6 of those, with varying success - but if they work, it's blessed relief for long enough to get moving again.
You have my greatest sympathy; I wouldn't wish this on very many people in the world.