Choking on mucous happens to a lot of us. After my surgery, the doctors prescribed a home suction machine. It has a long flexible tube that I just stuck in my mouth and it sucked up the mucous. I used it for months. It was just rented and they deliver and pick it up.
The first time I had cancer, I used seltzer water about ten times a day to gargle and that broke up the mucous so I could spit it out. I used to buy six cases a week since I used a new can each time for maximum fizz to burn out the mucous.
I never had any doctor suction my throat so I can't comment on that
It is scary to feel like you are choking. But you eventually get the hang of bringing it all up. You can also use tissue to swab the inside of the mouth.
charm