my mom will be having ACDF surgery soon, She is worried about not being able to swallow

Hello everyone! My mom will be having ACDF surgery soon. She is worried about not being able to swallow afterwards to take her meds. Did any who has had the surgery experience this issue? Was it severe and for how long? She is a non insulin dependent diabetic so needs her pills as well as wants to be able to take her pain meds. Also we want to make a list of helpful items for after surgery. Does anyone who had the surgery have any suggestions for what helped them? Thanks for any info you can provide.