Hi I had L3-L4-L5 done. I wasn't in alot of pain when I woke up. I was just hungry and wanted my coffee! Later on when I had to be moved into another bed, I was hurting. Getting up that night hurt. Pain meRAB took care of it. I slept pretty well until the nurses were having a "party" outside my door about midnight. I called the nurse in and requested more meRAB since I was the only one bothered by their laughing. The meRAB put me back to sleep. I went home on the 4th day. It was uncomfortable sitting in the car. I felt better laying down but would sit on the couch for short perioRAB of time. It wasn't that it hurt so much, it was the fatigue. The first two weeks were uncomfortable but I would take 1/2 a vicodan when it got rough. I would expect most people to take more, I just have a real adversion to drugs.
I absolutely am glad I had the surgery, but it is a slow healing process. Good luck
Thank you......................