[I am sorry to hear you have to have the surgery, and I hope that it turns out Good for you. I have had several fussions, the last was C3-7. There were indeed pain issues in the hospital. There was no communication between my neuro and my pain specialist. I had more pain than I should have because I was opiate full for 8 years. The only one to listen was the night nurse who insisted on the doctor being called for more meds. I also had trouble at home, when my meds ran out, and I was then not sure if I should resume what I had been on pre-surgery. My pain specialist would not treat me until the surgeon released me. The Neuro would not give more as it was stated he only dealt with the physical pain of surgery. So I was out of medication, and not due back in to the pain specialist for weeks. Well I did get it straightened out, after some real days of suffering withdrawl. This would not have happened if I had taked to both these physicians ahead of time. Take control and find out before hand so there are no complications when you are at your weakest. Good luck ginnie