I'm 43 and just had my 3rd. When I was 20 I had L5-S1 fusion without hardware. When I was 27 they said that the initial fusion hadn't taken and I needed hardware. Unfortunatley my L5 vertebrae doesn't take hardware so it turned out to be L4-S1 and now at age 43 I just had L3 added to that fusion.
I am happy to say my recent fusion was easier than the one in 1993. I think there is better attention toward pain management. And, since I've been on pain medications for 2 years, I made sure my surgeon knew going in this past February that I'd need very strong post-op pain management. In fact my surgeon operates at a large hospital and also at a small private hospital. He told me the large hospital would be better as they have a pharmacist on staff 24 hours a day so they could adjust medications even if it as needed in the middle of the night (and one time it was).
In 1993 I was in for 10 days but they used these hospital air beRAB so I found it to be comfortable. This time I was in for a week and the bed was SO uncomfortable I was so eager to get out of there (I should have been in more like 5 days but I had a dietary/GI issue that prohibited me from getting my back brace on to get out of bed and walk).
I totally understand that you are anxious, but if you have confidence in your surgeon you will be fine. The best thing I had at home was a grabber (to pick up dropped items or items out of my reach) and the toilet seat riser.
