After being released from the hospital, do you have to wear a collar for CCI surgery and for how long?
Is it a good idea to elevate the bed for sleeping, or bad idea? Are there any other instructions for how to sleep or not sleep?
I found some posts on another site where people said they slept like normal, or slept on a recliner. At least one or two had no special sleep requirements. They didn't talk about collars. I don't know if they had CCI or only decompression.
Violet I had a second decompression and a CCranio cervical fusion 4 months ago. I was instructed to wear the collar for 1 month post op. I slowly weaned off during the day but I still wear my collar at night because I only had skull through c-2 fused and the rest of my neck has DDD and instability (trying to preserve what I have). I slep flat, trying to stay on my back, but if it feels better to be elevated then I say do it…as long as it’s your whole upper body elevated and not your chest flat with your neck craned upward- that would be bad for your neck. When was your surgery? How are you doing? Who did your fusion? I take a muscle relaxer at night that’s helpful for sleep and less headache during the day. I’ve taken it since my first surgery 2 yrs ago will continue.
My NS drilled it into my head that super upright straight posture is essential. Any forward leaning of your head engaged the muscles in the back of your neck- no Bueno. If you keep your head back and centered over your shoulders the front neck muscles are more equipped to hold the load.
Jenn 
Thanks, Jenn for all the info. Did you use a regular pillow?
I have not had any surgery. Just trying to learn a lot in advance.
One reason is I was considering getting an adjustable bed so I can sometimes sleep with my head raised. I don't know much about the pros and cons of sleeping that way and if the bed will be heavy, big, or make noise.
From what I'm reading, I can guess the Dr will make me do lots of cervical traction and wear a collar before surgery. My neck is way too far forward. I had no clue that front muscles are supposed to support your head! This is going to be hard pre-surgery! I am trying to become OK with all of this. I am not 100% sure that I need fusion, but I know I have CCI and I can't imagine how I could get my neck even semi-normal again with traction, collar, and PT.
Violet, my NS had me stand with back to a wall, made me stand straight enough that butt and head was touching the wall, he said that’s good posture. Try a little each day to engage the front neck muscles, it will help you with less pain post op when those back of the neck muscles are cut and traumatized. If you have CCI be sure your NS really understands it.
jenn