Had my follow up today after microdisectomy and everything looks good. Doctor cleared me for low impact cardio (Elliptical, swim, etc) and to start doing core work.

Any favorite exercises? Specifically ones with no bending of the back. I know the usual suspects (planks/bridges/supermans/etc) but just loooking to build the arsenal so I have plenty to keep things fresh.

Farmer's walk with light hand weights

Flutter kicks. Hundreds of them.

Rowing, planks, Superman's The link below has a few good ones. The last one is my favorite.
https://www.bicycling.com/training/a25254069/rowing-machine-workouts/

not bending your back will be a little difficult since that's the motion that really activates your abdominal. but agreed with planks and bridges, you can even do side planks to hit obliques more, and the flutter/scissor/bicycle kicks while laying flat