Your AN is certainly much larger than mine was (9mm) but it caused damage just the same--SSD left side, tinnitis (even after surgery). I had translab on May 24th, faired very well--had immediate spinning/nausua in recovery/ICU. That lasted 24 long hours but other than the balance thing I'm doing well. I actually start back to work light duty on Mon the 11th for 4 hrs a day to see if I can handle it, I hate just sitting around.
The pain from the surgery has been nothing. I suppose that's due to pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical pain management. On a scale from 1 to 10 it was prob a 5, a 6 at most and that was because my neck was killing me after surgery. The surgeon said it was because my head was in precarious position for many hours. Ice and hot packs helped tremendously.
The balance thing does drain me and overworks my mind (I think). I take naps when I need to. Like this weekend I've slept a lot, perhaps because I had a busy week.
This site had given me a lot of information as well as the members support and I say that gave me a mindset for when I had my surgery. I was never afraid of what could happen. I had faith in my God and surgeon. Possible complications never entered my mind.
I'm sure you will do fine. I wish you well and we all will be thinking about you on your day
