klburton, i also had back surgery 2 years ago (l5s1 hernia)and i'm doing pretty good, my left hip and left leg bothers me worse than anything some days more than others, but i am still in less discomfort than pre-surgery, i wish you as good of results or better, as far as the climbers go do us all a favor and get with someone who has used one and let them be there with you when your learning, used properly i feel completley safe in any of my climbers used improperly they are a death-trap, don't let this scare you, i've had 2 close calls, both operator induced i'll add, always, always, always, wear a harness. all the brands mentioned are good products, but with you being a women and just having the back surgery if they still make it i would recomend the ole man (not sure of the name of it) carbon climber, it was rated for 225# and weighed either 17-19#, lightest i had ever used, and in my opinion was/is the most comfortable climber made, btw i also love the summit line, and in all fairness have never tried the tree lounge, but everyone i know that has has loved them. as far as the difficulty with the climbers, a sit and stand climber is just what it says, you pull your feet up lock the lower portion on the tree, stand and raise the upper portion, very easy to use, by all means stay away from stands w/hand climbers, they are pretty tuff on the average person, ie. you need some decent upper body strenght to use them. best of luck and not trying to scare you but please be careful