I had a collar when i came out of surgery and for my night in the hospital, but took it off when I got home. I only wore it for one short car ride and one pre-Christmas trip into the grocery store.

Beachbum, I had surgery same day as you. My pain wasn't as bad pre-op as yours was - numb fingers, pains down the arms-- but not to the extent of yours. At the three week mark, I'm not having trouble with pain much, just muscle spasms in my left shoulder (all my trouble was on the right). I take Flexeril for that, no problems for the most part. I do still have the throat lump sometimes and that bugs me.

I don't regret this surgery either, at this point ... I'd do it again. Things so far at the three-week mark are going well and I am thankful for that!!

Good luck,
Kelly