I personally take it about 1-2 nights a week. I cut a 10mg tablet into 4 now and just take 1/4 of it. It works really quick but works for me. I am 14 months post op.
I have taken the regular Ambien not the time release. I now take Lunesta and it works so much better for me. Only problem it is much higher priced. You can get generic Ambien.