New to the board and was just browsing a few sites to get some expectations on what is coming up on Monday for me. I have a couple of questions. They are removing the disk between C5-C6 and replacing with a cadaver bone and plate, which all seems to be fairly common. My questions are this:

1. The surgeon told me that I would need to wear the hard brace for 10 days until the stitches came out. I have read that the hard brace can be unbearable at times. Is this a brace that you can take on and off or is it more like a cast that can't be removed unless it is cut off?

2. Do you have to wear the brace while sleeping or resting?

3. Are there any herbs that are recommended to improve the healing time and success? He said it will take me 3 months to completely heal since I am a healthy non-smoker,

4. Any post-op lessons learned that you can pass on? I have read that I will likely experience a sore throat and issues swallowing, but wondered if you had any tips for getting thru the first few days after surgery.