my 18 yr old daughter had a spinal fusion in june now 7 months later she gets choked when eating?
may be it is not related to the surgery but these symptoms should not be neglected as you said it is impairing swallowing. i recommend a sample puncture. consider also an aneurysm of either the common carotid or brachealcephalic artery or venous obstruction in either the jugular or subclavian vein. is there any alterations in arm or hand coloration? temprature? numbness?