I'm not sure what you are referring to as recovery time. It has been 5 weeks. I didn't have terrible pain or tòo much muscle pain. The fusion part won't be finished for awhile. I'm able to lift 15 lbs. It's hard to remember not to do too much even though you feel as you can. Sure don't want to mess up what the great surgeon fixed. I have signs around my house reminding me not to twist, lift and bend. Any other questions let me know. I have a surgery spot on back that feels hard and a few times it feels like someone is taking their claws to my back but doesn't last very long.