Your post-operative pain will be totally dependant upon how well the surgery goes and also how well you are treated durring your hospital stay and after you get home.
I had lumbar surgery on december 17th and I am in great shape for this being only a little over 2 weeks after surgery. I still have pain but it is not at all like pre-surgery pain. The nurses and doctors in the hospital were fantastic and my home health care nurses have been fantastic as well.
Physical therepy comes on monday, wednesday, and friday and I work on myself otherwise.
Today they had me on the floor (on all fours) doing leg raises and arm raises and I havent been able to even think about getting on the floor for over a year. Huge increases in my life. You are on very mild meds so you should be in great shape post surgery.
I was on oxycontin 20mg, percocet 10/650, soma, motrin 800mg, nurontin 300mg pre surgery and now I am actually taking about 1/2 as much as before surgery.
Please ask your doctor about the charite artificial disc. It really could help you a ton! :)