Don't know if this is even close to being correct, but I'll throw it out there anyway. Like you said, you can pretty much do whatever you have to do if you have to do it. So I am going to guess and when you have to do something that you are uncomfortable with, you get pretty worked up prior to the event. And then the event happens, and you find out that the event wasn't all that big of a deal to accomplish. Could the weeks of anguish afterwards just be you upset with yourself for letting your original traumas do this to you?

Reed Anxiety and being worked of is a heck of a running partner for weeks. It will wear you out emotionally maintaining strength and nutritionally. Rest and some vitamins may help alleviate this some after event depression.. When we are tired it's a good fuel to depression.
I assume you have already talked to your doctor about the PTSD factor in your surgery, it is something you asked about in the twilight thread. I had a very good anesthetition who understood my PTSD and was given a pre-med for the night before stronger so I would be rested and an IV relaxant prior to surgery in addition to the regular protocol. I actually didn't wake up in surgery as usual.
By planning ahead we took away some of my pre-anxiety to the surgery. I would have went through it because I had to, but the extra help beforehand sure made a difference.
You have some time to get these discussed before your surgery date, then it will put you a little at ease, from being informed and in control somewhat of the process,and with less after depletion of emotional energies?

keep us informed how it's going.
Jewell..

I'm like you. I've proven myself able to withstand lots of ordeals. But since this PTSD thing has proven to be long term, too, I've found the post-ordeal can be like you say. I can get through the immediate issue at hand, but the chickens come home to roost later big time.

So what I've taken to doing has been to build support beforehand, just like you're doing with this post. It really works for me not to go through the ordeal alone, even if I can do so. The more I get out my anxiety with friends beforehand, it seems the less of a backlash I have with my PTSD afterwards.

Having surgery coming up would have anyone even without PTSD in an anxiety state! Gets as much rest as possible, eat as healthy as possible.

About the second part of your post yes I relate a lot!
Sometimes acceptance and a good cry is the only solution.

Yes, I have this. In my personal case, it is even fairly standard. My emotions always seem to be delayed on just about everything. Residuals of that dissociation beast, I think. . .

I "just" plan on it. I put "just" in quotation marks because there is nothing easy about the planning, nor carrying out those plans. Still, removing the element of surprise makes the medicine go down easier. You just executed my number one planning step. You shared about it. Simple as that. Funny thing is, each time I take this step, I seem to come one step closer to bringing my reactions into sync with the event and the residuals seem less intense. Can I call that, "Healing?"

Gentle validation, Reed. You are not alone. The absence of fear is foolishness. Courage is action in the face of your fear.