I was discharged with 40 hydorcondone 7.5s and 60 flexerils to manage my pain until my follow up exam at 4 weeks, post op. I was not discharged empty handed. Wisely, I had enough medication at home to take appropriately until I could get into the pain doc and the first thing I did when I got home was to call him and ask how he wanted me to handle things until then. I don't make those decisions. BTW, I had two cages put in the lower lumbar.........with a nice six inch anterior incission. I was discharged at day three, post op. and down right uncomfortable.