@ccchang After I broke my back I was stabilized in the local hospital and then flown by air ambulance to Vancouver. My surgery was performed overnight and took 8 hours. I was there for 3/4 weeks and I returned home with a full plaster caste from my neck to my thighs. I then went into the local hospital, as I couldn't keep anything down. I was there for a further 2 weeks. I had the caste on for 4 months and I then wore a back brace for 6 months. I have had two further surgeries since this one.