1 Week Post-Op ACDF Surgery 

I had this exact surgery done about a year ago and everything she is saying is spot on. I was apprehensive about having it done, but I am so glad I did! As soon as you wake from surgery you'll immediately notice you'll be pain free. To be honest, worst part of the surgery was the sore throat afterwards when trying to swallow. I have since fully recovered with no issues. Having the surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Thanks for your video it gave me confidence. I just had ACDF surgery about 5 hours ago. I'm doing pretty well. My throat is not near as sore as I thought it would be. Right now, I have 0 pain in my neck and incision area. However I do have some pain my shoulder blade area. Best of luck to anyone having it.

Laura, thank you for posting this video. I’m having the exact same procedure done next week and you’ve given me a level of comfort and hope.

Tomorrow 01/27/23 is my surgery & I really needed to see your video. I have looked & looked for information & sure it's been all clinical but I needed to hear the real life version. Thank you.

You've mad me feel so much better about this surgery. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for posting your story. I'm less than 2 weeks out from a 2-level ACDF surgery and these posts have helped so much. I'm so glad you are doing so well and diving again. It gives me great hope that I will get my life back. I look forward to doing the things I love so much after I heal.

Im scheduled to have this done after years of agony, I finally found a doctor who listened and hearing your experience makes me feel really good! Thanks so much.

Thank you so much for telling your experience. I'm 39 & will be having this surgery. You have helped to ease my fears & worry. Thank you.

Thank you for posting this. I know it was last year, but I'm getting ready to have this surgery in 9 days and I'm excited, yet nervous. Your video has definitely put me at ease, so thank you!

I’m a month out from this surgery. Wish I would have watched this before having it done. I was so nervous to have it done, but it was literally a walk in the park. The sore throat was awful, but the surgery was nothing. I took Tylenol for pain for about 3 days and that was it. The hardest part of the whole thing is learning to relax and not overdo things. My incision is only about 3” long. To hear you say you had staples was the only thing that was different from my surgery. This is a great informative video and everything you said is spot on. Thanks for sharing this!

Thank you for making this video! Made my day to hear totally normal and realistic description, along with actionable advice. I’m a couple weeks out from my c5-6 ASDF.

Thanks so much for the video, I’m having my surgery in three day’s. I have watched a few of these videos but yours was the most helpful. I’m more assured now with your positive attitude, and helpful tips.

Thank you for sharing this. My husband is having this surgery in couple weeks and I found everything you said to be very helpful 💕

❤ Such a positive outlook you have! Thank you for such detailed & thorough patient expectations!

My C4-C5 and C5-C-6 surgery is the day after Christmas 12/26/23. Thank you for the peace of mind you’ve given me ❤

I am 26 years old and I'm having this surgery done in a couple of months. I have had some nervousness about it, but after watching this video, I am filled with excitement. I actually had to pause the video to cry at the possibility that after the surgery, the pain and sensations will be gone. It's been almost a decade of pain for me and this video gave me hope that I can feel normal. THANK YOU!

I am a week out from having this surgery. Going thru the emotions of it all. I am so glad that i was able to see your video. There are many out there. You video has put me at ease. I realize the complications that could be involved however I hadn't seen too many positive ones so I thank you for the positivity you have shown and now that i feel !! Ty for sharing your point of view!! Hope you are well.

Thank you for sharing in such a positive way. I am having ACDF surgery C3, C4, and C5 this Thursday (1/24), and your message helped to calm me a bit. I wish you the best with the rest of your recovery!

Thank you! I am not afraid of surgery, or the pain, I just thought the recovery was going to take a LOT more time and help. At one week out you're where I expected to be in 2-3 months. Of course I am an old, out-of-shape guy, but, even if it takes me two weeks to be there, I'm OK with that. I am really looking forward to the guilt-free screen time. Thanks for sharing!

As someone who is scheduled to have similar surgery soon I really appreciated this video. Thanks for taking the time. What a great personality and easy to listen to.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I will be having ACDF in two weeks and as I live alone its a bit daunting! Your positive attitude is inspiring...all the best!

Thank you Laura, I am having an ACDF in a few weeks time. Your video has helped me to feel less anxious. Phew!!

Thanks so much for your videos!! I’m 2 days post op acdf surgery and very optimistic about the outcome. You’re an inspiration to me and have an awesome attitude. I can’t wait to get back to the gym and the active lifestyle I’m accustomed to! !

Thank You So Much for this amazing video, Dear Laura! You have given me a lot of clarity, as to what to expect when I have my ACDF surgery, later this month. I really appreciate your thorough account of what you experienced and your positivity about your experience. Finding your channel is a Godsend and I have definitely subscribed! God Bless You and Your Family Always

Thanks for sharing. I feel lot better about my upcoming surgery and the recovery involved. Congrats on your gold medals also. I hope you can get another shot!

So great to hear! Makes me feel so hopeful! Had same levels as you

OMG!!! thank you for this post. I'm getting ready to have this done in a couple days and am freaking out. watching your video really helped. I ordered the stand, took notes for the doctor too. thank you.

Wow! So inspiring! Just had my ACDF surgery a month ago!! Thanks for sharing!👍👍👍

Thank you so much for all the details you shared regarding your road to recovery. It has been VERY helpful for me. I am scheduled to have this surgery in 2 weeks. I am a professional singer and when I discovered all the horrible outcomes regarding the vocal chords, needless to say I was beyond disturbed. BUT, hearing you and your voice and your wonderful recovery has put my mind at ease completely. Thank you for sharing your story. This has helped me and I'm sure it will help thousands more people who have the same fears. Good luck on your road to compete recovery.

I just had the same surgery you had…omg you rocked it! Every single thing you said is what I’m experiencing. I’m so thankful you took the time to make this video. Thank you so much! God bless and happy healing!❤

I have multi level ACDF in 3 weeks! This was helpful! Thanks! Your positivity is super encouraging to me!

Thank you so much! I'm having this done two weeks from today. I have no one to help me. I live alone. You've made me feel better about this.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm going in next Thursday and this has calmed my nerves a bit.

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm having this exact surgery Monday and have been a nervous wreck. I have a chief surgeon of nerosugery so that helps. Please keep me updated. Good luck to you🙏

Thank you for your positive attitude and outlook ,it gives me hope. I am exactly 1week out till surgery and have so many questions yet. The information about pain and recovery and actual surgery has helped have more peace and what to expect although you are much younger and fit. I am a former runner and 64 years old. Thank you and you are a awesome athlete. Hope you are completely healed and enjoying your life!

Thank you so much for posting this! Your experience and tips are so very hopeful! Having this surgery as well

Thank you so much for this video. I’m having this surgery in 2 weeks, and you have put my mind at ease.

I'm having this surgery for C5 C6 in a few weeks. Your experiences are helping me a lot. To know more what to expect after the surgery. I've talked to several friends who have had it and they all say I'll be glad I did it. But to see you and hear you a week after yours, helps tremendously! Yes, I have a great surgeon who explained it thoroughly, but it helps so much more . Just the idea of somebody cutting into my neck is scary. He told me he goes in through the front, uses cadaver bone, etc but to see you in a collar, explaining what happened to you during the first week makes it easier to deal with. Thank you.

thank you for this wonderful insight as to what has happened and what you are going through this is so helpful as i will be going through this surgery in a few weeks, you gave me positive vibes so I am not scared thank you again

Thank you for your video Laura. I'll be getting my surgery in 10 days and fell much better about it.

Thanks so much for the details and clarity. This really helped relieve some of my fears

Thank you so much for putting out your recovery videos. So far I have only seen this one but I'll be watching them all. I'm having the surgery on 8/13 and as it gets closer I'm getting more worried as I'm high risk because of age and weight. You videos will help a lot.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I’m scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks. I used to be a runner and already had fusion in my lumbar spine. Degenerative arthritic changes are causing my diagnoses. I’m inspired by how well you’re doing. My doctors have said that running and doing other vigorous activity is not a good idea for me. It must feel great to be told you can continue doing things as you used to. If you have any ideas on what I can do to at least get some meaningful exercise going, I would welcome your response. I think it’s awesome that you told your kids what they can do and not just what they can’t do. You come across like a very genuine and kind person.

Thanks so much for sharing. I am glad I found your video. I will have my surgery in a few weeks. Hoping for a fast recovery. Thanks for the tips too.

MY surgery is on jan 13 I will have fusion front and back C3-C4 Thank you so much for this blog it has help me with some fearfulness WHAT A LADY THANK YOU SO, PEACE GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS Robin

I’m 4 days post surgery and already frustrated with the collar. I had same surgery with a nuero surgeon and the nerve studies also. I’m very happy with progress and was much improved the first day after surgery. Thank you for your positive outlook and honesty. I will follow your progress and wish you well.

Wow. Thank You so much for this vid. Been advised a while back that this surgery is my only option and been putting it off. Seeing this and hearing your story has helped. Thank you 🙏.

Very helpful! I'm preparing myself mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Thank you so much. I’m about to have this done on two levels as well. Mine is C-3 through C-5. It too took awhile to figure out where the problem was coming. I’ve dealt with this over 11 years and the past year things have really escalated. I’ve been watching a lot of these videos. I am with a Neurosurgeon for sure. ❤️

Thanks for this video! I thought, ‘I remember watching an Olympic diver named Laura Wilkinson!’ I still remember specifically the story about you visualizing your dives when you were injured. How wonderful to see you again! My surgery is next month and I’m a little nervous. Thank you for addressing so many of the concerns that I have, particularly not being able to drive and trying to slow down when you’re used to moving at top speed all day! And I’m looking forward to getting the feeling back in my right arm and fingers again!

I am having 3 level done on Dec 6. I am very physical active and I am encouraged that you will be able to dive. I am thankful to be able to fix this pain. Feeling different and better is right around the corner!

God bless you for helping explain everything!!! They are going to do this soon.

Thank you for posting this! I am having three level fusion in three days and have been watching videos but this one is the most realistic of what to expect

Laura...thanks for this video. I go in on Wednesday for the same surgery and I felt much better after watching this :)

Appreciate your video. Getting the ACDF soon and this helps me a lot. Thanks!

You're a freakin' rock star! Thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm less afraid of this surgery, now.

Just wanted to thank you for making such helpful videos! I’m having ACDF surgery in about a weeks time and your recovery videos have helped calm a lot of nerves (pun intended!) in my family. I’m only 22 so my parents have been super stressed out and worried, but after showing them these videos they’re feeling a lot better about the surgery, as am I. Good luck diving!

This is a relief to see the cervical collar and how well you are doing at 1 week. Praying your next videos are just as positive. My surgery is scheduled for 9/24/19. Thank you for sharing 🌺🌺🌺

I'm going in for C4-C5 and C5-C6 tomorrow morning. Thanks for the very thorough look at what I'm in for. You look fantastic for one week out. I'm less nervous and more hopeful after watching this.

Thanks for the great video ,I'm having my surgery on the fourth of February ,and have been looking for some information that the pamphlets just don't cover ,interesting to here your perspective as a elite athlete ,and how you've made a positive out of downtime . Cheers from down under.

Omg I feel like your telling my story. I've had hand, wrist, neck and back problems for over a decade and only just got diagnosed with cervical myelopathy. I'm getting ACDF very soon. Thank you for this video. The whole right side of my body has been numb for a few weeks. I hope this surgery helps.

Thank you very much for this video! My surgery is 5 days from now, my second neck surgery! But this surgery is much more! Your video helps me so much! You rock!

I'm needing this surgery So scared I've been watching videos and it scares me more. You made me feel calm after watching your video Thank you

I might have to do this very soon and I am very scared and sad. Thank you for posting this, I have been told some horror stories and your video is lifting my spirits. Take care

I'm scheduled for ACDF surgery in 11 days, I'm a little nervous because this is my first major surgery as an adult. Thank you for posting this video, it was a blessing to me and helped lower my anxiety. Hope all is well!

Hi thanks for the video. I’m due to have ACDF soon to remove 3 discs and fuse 4 of the bones together. You’ve given me much confidence I wish you all the best xx

I just ran across your post today 6/12/21. I’m having ACDF C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7. I had to postpone my surgery from 2/2021 due to COVID-19. Thank you for your truthful & helpful video. Pray for me and I will look for your other recovery videos. God Bless you !✝️🛐☮️

Really good to see this. I have watched them all about 10 times. I have 6 days until this happens along with right hand (dominate) carpal tunnel surgery and to be honest I am scared to death. The feeling I have now is one that I have experience only a couple times in my life and that is when I was in Afghanistan knowing that we were about to get into something serious. There is so much stuff out there to scare the crap out of you, but this is a little more uplifting. Thank you for putting this out!

Thank you for the fantastic video. I am scheduled for my ACDF with fusion @ C5 & C6. I have lived with the tingling, numbness, for far to long. Thank you for the words of encouragement. I am meeting with my surgical team next week, thank you for the mention of the nerve thing. My surgeon is an Ortho who specializes in spine.

Thanks! This is really helpful. I'll have the surgery in a month. It's good to hear someone positive and can-do talk about it.

Really appreciate the video, I go in April 9th for a dual c5-c7. No concerns about the surgery but I will be mostly alone during recovery which I'm hoping will be ok. Love all your tips. Thanks again

I'm heading in in 18 days. Thank you for this.

Thank You, Laura. I am about to have this surgery next month, from a long hockey career + trigeminal neuralgia, Ugh! So thank you immensely for the encouragement; I'm really looking forward to getting this done. -Good Luck, girl!

This was great! Not only helpful for me but for my family and friends.❤❤ My surgery is on Oct 3rd. Thank you for this gift!❤🙏❤🙏

So grateful for your testimony. I am having this surgery in 3 days

This was very comforting!! Thanks!

Thank you for your thoughts always tough when it is talking about your own body. I'm two days out from my surgery just one level though. Similar things as you have said although going in I had a lot of pain. On day two I have cut back my pain killers, really to the point of weening off of them. The surgery is a life changer in my case. Thank you again.

I am having this surgery on 3/12 and although i am nervous your video is very helpful. My surgeon is amazing and i know he has my back. Hope your recovery is going well.

Thanks for the video. I had ACdf 3days ago and it helps to know what to expect. I had three disk replacements c4-c7. It’s a work in progress to find the most comfortable,sleeping position. I have a wedge and two pillow cube pros which are great. Best decision I made after 7 years of pain

Thanks so much for this! My husband is having the ACDF surgery tomorrow, we're a bit anxious and wanted to know what to expect in recovery. We feel much better now, thanks for sharing your experience! God bless!!

Bless you and your family. Will look for you on the high board. I’m 60, have had inflammatory arthritis for years. My recovery will be a bit slower than yours, but hopefully I can be better soon. Pain relief will be great as well. I can enjoy my grandchildren better.

I'm very scared to have this surgery, but you've made me feel a lot better, bless you

Thanks for the video I was a little scared,my surgery is this next Monday February 6,but hearing you calm me a lot!!

Great info! I'm about to be scheduled.

Thanks for posting this. hope you're doing great. Considering this after a car Wreck!

Thank you so much for all this information OMG I'm so happy you posted this...I'm having the same surgery on the 3rd week of September 2019 I'm so terrified but you've eased my fears...thank you thank you thank you.👏👏👏😊😊😊

Thanks for putting this out.

This video has been incredibly helpful! After a failed ACDR at c5-c7 with facet issues I’m finally going in for a revision surgery acdf 🙌🏻. Your video gives me comfort.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I need to have this done.

I feel better now, thank you so much I've had major anxiety.

What a well done video. Thanks.

Hi. Thank you so much for your time. So helpful !

Having this surgery in 8 days..THIS HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY..THANK YOU!

My wife is having neck fusion the second week of April 2021. Thank you so much for your upbeat version of your experience. She had it before now she is having another level or two done.

Laura, I just happened to see this video in a search for recovery from C4-C7 repair. I cannot tell you how encouraging your information was for me. I have been so anxious since learning I will need this surgery, and you have been the most positive post-surgery recovery honest advice. Thank you for the tip for the adjustable laptop stand. I know that will be a huge help for me. I look forward to seeing your next update. And thank you for representing the USA in the Olympics. Congratulations on your bringing home the gold. Be well and be blessed.

This was a good, to the point video. Thank you so much!

My surgery is tomorrow. After watching this I feel so much better and more confident

Thank you so much for inspiring me with such a positive video! I am looking at a 3 level ACDF soon.

I am so happy 😀🙏🙏🙏. I was looking for a video or like a support group. I will be doing this exact surgery in two days. I read the comments and I am more comfortable. I leave everything in the Lord’s hands now. Yes !!!!!😀 Thanks everyone and continue to recover.

My surgery is this Friday, 6/12/2020. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I feel better knowing what to expect.