Hello. I am now 8-9 weeks post L4-5 spinal fusion/laminectomy. Due to my chronic and severe constipation, I elected to not accept AMY opiods post surgery--including the take home meds. I only took acetaminophen which did not help really. I was in pain for 4 weeks but pulled through. My constipation rules, because the gut rules over spine in my case. My spine surgeon understood but I know was afraid for himself perhaps with my being in so much post op pain. I did not care because I had so much opiods given intravenously in hospital which lingered. So I have good days and bad and now it's beautiful weather time in the PNW (Seattle area). I carry on, as we must, and hope for a breakthrough!