Hi,
I've had anterior cervical fusions and want to say 2 things: It takes way longer than you expect, given the need for deep healing and having your body adjust to the new constraints. I was so devastated by the degree of pain that I felt for so long, that I honestly thought I could get through the healing and feel relatively normal again, which took 2 1/2 years. The positive outcome for me was that my electric pain is gone.
While every patient experience is different, I believe that Drs will NEVER tell you how long it will take to feel good again, because if they did, there would be fewer surgeries!
Over time, you should expect more good days than bad, more consistently.
Hang in there!

To Gailb. Have the same history and manage pain with otc. Grateful for the things that I can do.

Well it was gradual but almost 6 months now since surgery and the big improvement is I am off all pain killers, still have some but it's tolerable. I see dr fogelson next Friday to see if I get released for activity or not. He said I should be able to play golf again and I'm ready I hope, we'll see . I have been walking a mile a day on treadmill for exercise

@JustinMcClanahan I had degeneration of my spine, which caused a scoliosis. I had surgery from T-10 to my pelvis. Also had stenosis at L4 & 5. It was severe. The surgery was 9 hours long. After almost 3 month I just have some pain. Most of my pain is when I walk or lay down without the brace. I need to ask my surgeon how much he got the scoliosis straighter. I will ask him the next appointment in October. I walk a lot and do 1/4 to 1/2 mile every day. I do Tymlos to increase my bone density. My bones are very soft and I have to do Tymlos for 2 years and the some other med after that which I hope my bones get stronger.

Anyway the surgery help my scoliosis pain.