Neck surgery generally involves minimal post-operative pain, with some mild and temporary discomfort.
Based on the information available, the level of pain after neck surgery is usually not very high. Here's a breakdown:
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Minimal Pain: The surgical approach often avoids cutting significant muscle tissue, which leads to reduced pain after the operation. The reference text specifically states, "No significant muscle is cut during the approach to the spine so there is minimal post-operative pain."
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Sore Throat & Swallowing Discomfort: The most common issues reported are a sore throat and mild discomfort when swallowing. This is usually temporary. The reference text indicates, "It is common to have a sore throat and some mild discomfort with swallowing after the surgery. This usually settles over 2-3 days."
In summary, while some discomfort is expected, neck surgery is not typically described as "very painful." Any pain or discomfort experienced usually resolves within a few days.
