Hi there Lizm
Welcome to the forum, there's loads of info here for you to peruse.
Making the decision is the hardest part of the operation I think but only you can make that decision to go ahead with the surgery. I have no regrets about my double cervical replacements which I had in February of this year. For me it wasn't a particulary painful operation and the recovery was much easier than I expected with no real swallowing issues, although, as I am sure you are aware it can be one of the complications.
My post op story, which includes some photos or the healing stages and may be of interest to you can be found on the UK sister site:
http://z6.invisionfree.com/adrsuppor...?showtopic=303
Good luck, whatever you decide
Lynda