As for choking in your sleep, the first few months, I slept sitting up with pillows propped under me. Even now, two years after surgery we have the bed itself elevated six inches at the head and I use a double pillow to keep my head elevated. I automatically wake up now when I'm choking and just go to the bathroom sink and spit it all out.
I thought I would die of choking in the hospital since the nurses were so cavalier about it, insisting I suction myself.
Ask about getting a home suction machine, it was really great the first few months to be able to plug it in and suck all that stuff out, just like in the hospital. The hospital set it all up before my discharge.
Michelle spelled it out with her 1,2, 3 so I'll just say Amen.
Best wishes
Charm