MY HUSBAND JUST HAD A FUSION OF HIS C5 AND

mY HUSBAND JUST HAD A FUSION OF HIS c5 AND c6 VERTEBRAE. Sorry CAP LOCK. He just came home from the hospital and is on hydrocodine and gabapentin but he is getting no relief for his throat. He winces in pain everytime he swallows. Do you have any suggestions for easing his throat? I suggested throat lozenges and was shot down by him. Also thinking honey lemon tea?