Hey all!
I am a receiver of the Depression gene from my family of origin. I was diagnosed in 1994 and overcame the horrible "mind-games" by some meds, affirmations, counseling, and an active lifestyle that including sports and working out.
I had spinal fusion (a big one) in December of 2010 and am in the 8th week post-op. I am going nuts!!!
All you ADD/hyper/active folks and Depression sufferers please list how you deal with life on life's terms in this long recovery process. I can't even walk my dog right now - sniff. 
L-4/5 fusion/cages with synthetic bone in 4 discs 08 Dec 11 from overdoing and being short my whole life
Tramadol shots (6), Spinal Injections(2), Emergency Room trips (6), Too many pills that would "help," Physical Therapy 4 months, chiropractor, exercise, stretching routines, deep tissue massage unit sessions, walking with a cane since Feb 2011
Tinyterror:
Welcome to the Forum. Initiation sucks, as you have experienced!
I can't address your question, as asked. But I can tell you that depression after surgey is absolutely normal. In fact, I really believe that regardless of the surgery we all suffer from some depression after surgery. Obviously, the more significant the surgery and its impact on us physically, then the resulting depression will be greater.
I truly believe that there are only two other surgeries more psychologically significant than spinal - heart and brain. Those three (spine, heart, brain) compose our core. Mess with them and our system gets unbalanced.
I would recommend that you read all pertinent threads that have a similar theme in the other categories on this forum. There are several which touch on this topic. There are so many on this list who have faced challenges and multiple challenges associated with spinal issues, including depression. Remain patient, someone who has walked your path will respond with applicable advice.
Again, welcome to the list. Sorry you had to pass the initiation.
Jim
You have survived depression and I salute your and others resilience, if you have done that, then you are capable of coping with this current restriction, going from an active individual to immobility is a big imposed change for anyone. You have been to the bottom and now on the way upwards, utilise the skills learned from depression to set goals and objective, concentrate on what you can do however small, not what you cannot.
Having pain means we are more reliant on others, what can we do for ourselves.
Use that steely determinate that you have to set new achievements, measure your success in comparison to what you have achieved, the new you is still capable of great things, you have to believe that yourself. You are working logically through each progression, chronic pain is a marathon and not a sprint, the cane things is an asset, you have taken control of a challenging event and doing what is necessary to improve.
Many people here are doing exactly what you are; we all need help, support and encouragement. I had a spinal fusion in 1990, and was clinically depressed, I know how that feels, my future is ahead of me →
Do what is needed to get better, be kind to yourself and try something new every day.
Take care. John
DDD.1990 Laminectomy, Failed spine fusion, hartshill rectangle RLS. 3 stents
Pain is inevitable, misery is optional. Sternbach et al
Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself.
Albert Schweitzer 1953.
“It’s not things that trouble us but the views we take of them” Epitectus