Yes, I can bend my neck any which way, but again, I don't know how common that is after this surgery. Everyone and every circumstance can be different. I consider myself lucky and blessed. I rarely watch tv or read, for that matter, without a pillow behind my neck so I don't place too much strain on my neck. I have a “pillow pad” from Target for my iPad and also use this holder for books when I read. There are no specific guarantees, with or without the surgery.