I had ALIF in December 2008. My pain has worsened since and recently I began going to the tanning salon. Not that I think its related, but since my skin color has darkened, I have noticed that there are 2 nodules (pink in color) on my spine near where my surgical site was. I had a stomach incision, not a back incision, so I don't know if its related to the surgery. Again, I am very tanned, and there are 2 lumps at the base of my spine (L4-L5 if I had to guess) and I don't know if I would have noticed had it not been for tanning. They feel like BB's if I had to describe. They don't move if I push on them. They are tender. Could this be the screws poking out? I am planning on going to my doctor Monday, but I'd like some peace of mind until then.