Hi, Sorry that it took me so long to reply to you. Just remember everyone is different as far as how long they were in pain, the level of pain prior to the surgery, the amount of damage and how many levels are being taken care of. Many people on these sites are here because of complications and problems. The people who have no issues usually stay for a bit and then leave.

I hope you have a chance to read this prior to your surgery tomorrow. I know that emotionally I was ready for my surgery 1 year ago. You need to be emotionally and mentally in the right place. I knew it was time and the right decision medically and had faith in my surgeon. Hope you are in the same place. The day before when it set in that I was having surgery I realized hey this is it, got nervous and took a Xanax to calm me down. The day of surgery I was surprising calm and ready.

After surgery I was in significant pain from the intubation not necessarily the surgery itself. Talking and swallowing were a difficult. If you have a pain pump right after surgery have your hubby make sure you press the button on the set time frame so that you are not in pain. When the nurse wanted to give me a pill to swallow for pain or muscle spasms I asked for a shot for the first few days and then to have it crushed in applesauce. My swelling was more significant and needed steroids in order to decrease. Again this was from the intubation not the surgery. I don;'t remember waking up in recovery, but my husband said that I only complained about my throat not my neck. I didn't have the numbness, or pins and needles in my hand any more. Don't be surprised if you still have an iv, when you go back to your room. I had iv antibiotics for a few day. If they give you a stool softener go for it. You may even want to have some at home for later on. The pain meds that they give you, the anesthesia, and the pain meds that you take at home will wreak havoc on you bodily systems. No one told me that. Be proactive.

Remember you are in charge of your pain meds. Do not try and be proud and try and take as little as possible, not that I am advocating drugs, but there were times at home in the first few weeks that I tried to decrease the meds too quickly or lengthen the time in between. Big mistake in the beginning. Once the pain got bad at home and I took pain meds, it took a solid 2 hours before they took affect.

Foll ow your doctors orders. Every doctor is different. Some give their patients a hard collar, a soft collar, both or neither. Mine wanted only a soft, I was nervous and he gave me a hard collar that I wore for a few days and then in the shower. Glad I had it. Then I wore the soft collar for 3 months all the time except for showering (hard). Glad I had both. I wrapped a scarf around the soft collar for style. They also gave me a sock type item to place around collar. they get dirty very fast. After 3 months I was weaned off the collar although I still wore it when I was sore or achy.

My best advise is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It will tell you when you have done too much. Be prepared to be very tired, weak and tire easily for the first 3 weeks. I only ate soft food due to the swelling. Have plenty of oatmeal, soup, mashed potatoes, pasta, jello, pudding, yogurt and items such as these for the beginning. You may not need them some people eat regular food right away. Place milk or other drinks in smaller containers. I was buying gallon containers, but knew I wasn't going to be able to lift them. You can still buy them, but have you husband create smaller containers with water bottles so that they are easy for you to lift. Bendy straws were my best friend for a long time. My surgery was 12/9/2010 (ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with cage, plate & 6 screws and BMP) so I am trying to look back at a year ago. I slept in my recliner for about 6 weeks. Some people have no problem sleeping. It was more comfortable an since I was not sleeping well on/off it was better since then my husband was able to get some sleep.

Good luck tomorrow, Keep me posted. Again sorry for the long delay in responding. Wish you well.