I question whether a doctor should recommend plication surgery, as opposed to a consultation with a plication surgeon. In my case, notwithstanding the debilitation I felt, the surgeon’s assessment was that I might benefit as much from “physio, a personal trainer, some form of exercise, it doesn’t really matter.” I was a bit put out at the lack of direction but, fortunately, I held out a false hope that my phrenic nerve might recover, and plication would have “sewn” my diaphragm down, permanently. So I undertook to research my options. In the meantime, daily activities that frustrated me helped strengthen muscle groups that “cope” with breathlessness. Gardening, for example. I gradually became less distressed.

I suggest you try living with it for a year. FYI, I’ve since enrolled in cardio rehabilitation (resistance/aerobic training), pulmonary rehabilitation (yoga-ish) and “Singing to Breathe” two years after my paralysis - primarily to re-engage socially. Good luck!