I can only share my personal experience in the hopes that it may give you some helpful info. Prior to my spinal fusion surgery in 2012, my ortho surgeon asked me to decrease my pain medication as much as possible prior to the surgery. He said it would help him/me control the pain after surgery. I can remember the shock when I told him the morning of surgery how much I had decreased my meds! You may want to discuss pain management with him before your surgery.