@beancat425 My experience was that the after-surgery pain was not that bad, I felt awful taking pain medicine, so I never took any after I came home from surgery. I had it in case I needed it. I can tell you honestly that when I fractured my ankle, that was far worse than spine surgery for pain levels and time for recovery. Think about it as "healing pain" after surgery which is a positive progression toward healing and recovery. Right now, you are experiencing the pain of the spine issue that was caused by whatever led you to this condition. You are about to take control of that and fix it, so be kind to yourself. Right before I had my surgery, I asked the surgeon to come see me and I thanked him for helping me. That lets everyone go into the operating room feeling good. Gratitude helps chase away the fear.