@strongwoman
If you saw my X-rays you’ll see I had a similar surgery at a different level C3-C6. The original surgery was a plate and screws through an anterior incision. It failed. The second surgery they removed the front plate, broke my cervical spine in 2 places, then installed a new plate in front, then flipped me over(a 360°) and stabilized the back with screws and rods.
Ask away…