A spinal cord stimulator surgery takes about two hours to complete. Throughout the first half of the surgery, your doctor will place lead into the spine’s epidural space. Then, they will place a stimulator either into the abdomen or the buttock in the second half.   During the surgery, your doctors have to test the stimulation settings and ask for your feedback to make sure the simulator is effective. Unfortunately, because the doctors will need to verbally hear your input, you will be awake for this part of the surgery. They will be talking with you, supporting you, and making sure you’re comfortable the entire time. Take comfort in the fact that there will be an entire medical team dedicated to making you feel safe.