The difference, from my perspective, is that after surgery I woke up and become aware of things again, and that continues. I remember my life before the loss of consciousness, and understand there was a gap in my memory, but not my existence. If I really didn't exist, if I didn't wake up from surgery, I wouldn't be aware of it. Or anything. I wouldn't wake up and remember. So I can only conclude that since I am apparently awake and alive and remembering things, I must indeed exist. At least for the moment.
I suppose that's a round-about way of saying cognito ergo sum, but it's still the best argument we have for differentiating existence from non-existence.


