Embedded Files
It’s hard to believe, but I’m now one year out from my neck fusion surgery.
Looking back, the past 9 months have definitely had their ups and downs. Recovery wasn’t a straight line, it felt more like passing milestones month by month, slowly moving forward. Some days felt like real progress, others like a step back. But overall, it was progress.
🛌 Sleep & Finding Comfort Again
In the beginning, sleeping was a challenge. I used to sleep flat, but after surgery, that just wasn’t possible anymore.
I had to adjust to sleeping with 2–3 pillows, and even now, a year later, I still sleep on 2 pillows. Lying completely flat just doesn’t feel right for my neck.
I also continue to use support under my arms, my Squish Bean Bed Microbead Pillows. They’ve been incredibly helpful in relaxing my shoulders and keeping everything aligned, especially at night or while working at the desk.
💻 Getting Back to Desk Life
Going back to working at a desk full-time was honestly a journey on its own.
At first, sitting for long periods was uncomfortable. I had to really build my setup around support:
A pillow behind my head
I would rest my head back to reduce strain on my neck. Slowly, over time, I was able to sit longer and more comfortably without pain. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen.
🍽️ Swallowing Challenges (Still Ongoing)
One of the challenges I’ve experienced even long after surgery is difficulty with swallowing.
Early on, I had to avoid thicker food textures, and even now, I still notice it at times. I’ve learned to take smaller bites and drink fluids while eating to help food go down more comfortably and avoid that “stuck” feeling in my throat.
It’s manageable, but definitely something I didn’t expect to linger this long.
🧱 Feeling the Hardware (Plate Sensation)
Another thing I noticed during recovery was the feeling of the plate in the front of my neck.
For a while, it was honestly pretty annoying and hard to ignore like a constant awareness that something was there. Over time, that feeling has improved, but I still notice it in certain situations especially when talk for a long time or tilt my head forward.
It’s not painful, just uncomfortable and noticeable. One of those things your body slowly learns to live with.
🤕 Unexpected Part of Recovery: Migraines
Another challenge I didn’t expect, daily headaches.
They started getting worse after I stopped wearing the C-collar. At first, I thought it was part of recovery, but after further testing (MRI), I was diagnosed with migraines.
I recently had my first round of Botox treatment, and it has already helped reduce how often the headaches happen. Definitely something I’m continuing to manage.
🙌 What Improved
One of the biggest wins after surgery:
The tingling and numbness in my arms and hands are gone
My range of motion in my neck has gradually improved
These were huge quality-of-life improvements for me, and honestly one of the reasons I know I made the right decision.
⚠️ Ongoing Challenges
Even a year later, recovery isn’t always perfect.
Lately, I’ve been dealing with:
Burning pain in my neck and left shoulder, especially when standing or bending forward
Pain that gets more intense during daily activities like cleaning or cooking
I mentioned this to my doctor, and I’ve been scheduled for a CT scan to take a closer look.
So even at one year—the journey isn’t completely over.
🩻 One-Year Check-In
I just had my one-year post-op visit, and overall things are looking good, my X-rays show that the fusion appears stable, which was definitely reassuring to hear.
That said, because I’m still dealing with some symptoms, my doctor ordered a CT scan to take a closer look. I’ll also have a follow-up visit with my surgeon to go over the findings and figure out the next steps.
💬 Final Thoughts
If I had to sum it up this experience wasn’t easy, but it also wasn’t as bad as I once feared.
What it does require is:
Time
Patience
Adjustments to your daily life
Healing from this kind of surgery is a long process. It doesn’t end after a few weeks or even a few months, it evolves.
If you’re going through this now or preparing for surgery, just know:
👉 Progress may be slow but it’s happening
👉 Your body needs time to adjust and heal
👉 You’re not alone in this
Report abuse