Kathy,
My butt hurt so much after my surgery that my husband learned to rub it in his sleep. I often slept on a tennis ball. I used a soft brace with steel plates that could be changed to less rigid plates at about 4 weeks. It was stiff enough so that when I did kind of fall over, nothing happened. Didn't swell much. Incision took awhile to heal, don't remember exactly when but longer than I thought it should/would. NO HEAT! promotes swelling. I was on Dilaudid for 6 MONTHS! Couldn't drive while on it though. Take what you need for comfort, it shouldn't interfere with healing. See a pain managment specialist if need be. Walking definitely will help. Also, perhaps some pt if called for. Core strengthing.  helps a lot!
Dale
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3 level Prodisc adr S1-L3, Oct 12, 2005
Dr. B in Bogen, Germany
Severe nerve damage in left leg, still working on it
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