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Need help with trauma re: waking up during surgery

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I’ll keep this brief. I’m a 40 year old female, overweight (225 lbs and 5’7), Caucasian and vape regularly. No medications. Had a minor surgery to remove a cyst behind my ear. Had to be fully knocked out for the procedure and had the tube down my throat. The long and short of it is I woke up at some point totally paralyzed, eyes unable to open, no way to move or make noise or alert anyone. Felt like I couldn’t breathe due to tube. It was the most horrifying moment of my life that felt like it lasted forever. Then boom, suddenly I was awake in the recovery area and it was all over. This was two days ago and I’m not handling it well. I’m having nightmares about being in that moment again. My whole body feels tight with anxiety. I’m having panic attacks. Any advice for moving past this? Why did it happen? Can I avoid it happening again? I’m scared of ever needing surgery again which will likely happen as I mentioned already I’m fat and vape…. Chances are I’ll be under again at some point. I feel actually traumatized. Anything I should be doing to help release that? The physiological response as well as the psychological? Like I said, it feels like my whole body is clenched particularly my chest and back, while being shaky at the same time. Anything is appreciated. Thank you.

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r/AskDocs
Posted
Feb 12, 2026 at 9:21 PM UTC
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