Hello Cath1, I had a 3 level ADCF C4-C7 in Feb/09. You may want someone with you for the frist week or two, soft foods and liquids as your throat will be sore, I still experience swallowing issue due to a cyst that formed from a hematoma on my incision. Lots of pillows to keep you elevated in bed, I could not do the recliner, I wore a hard collar for 3 months, used liquid morphine for the frist month and still have to use oxycodone today as I got the gift of the domino effect, C3-4 has herniated and I still have ostoephytes at C4-5 and C5-6 levels, cervical radiculopathy, cervical stenosis and recently dx with TOS(thoracic outlet syndrome) I am in constant severe chronic pain and headaches 4-5 times a week, and have had to apply for CPP disability as I am unable to return to work, both my neurosurgeon and family doctors have wrote me off work and my LTD will be done in May. Cath1 everyone is different when it comes to surgery and healing and some have wonderful success and some not so much, but if your pain is intolerable and your symptoms are relentless then do what you need to do and stay positive, I only wanted to get better and be pain free even quit smoking after 25 yrs per my surgeon as he stated smoking will stop the new bone growth and fusion, sry for long post and Good Luck with surgery! Bunz
B