Brian -- I really sorry that you had such a terrible experience with this surgery and are in constant pain. I can't even imagine. Your posts have really helped me to trust my instincts that I don't want this surgery now or at all unless my floating diaphragm is causing something life-threatening. Thank you! When I first talked to the thoracic surgeon, he said there were 2 ways they could do the surgery -- through my stomach, which would lead to a two day recovery period in the hospital, or through my side, which would lead to a five-day recovery period in the hospital. The latter was a total red flag that this wasn't a walk in the park. I had brain surgery and treatment for bleeding ulcers at Mayo that resulted in two separate hospital stays of five days each and was a pretty miserable sick puppy. At my age, I don't just bounce back. I had debilitating headaches for two years, chronic fatigue, and two bouts of depression where I learned to pace myself and be happy for what I could do. That will bode well for me in this situation, even though I will make every effort to improve my breathing. Being a reformed type A personality, I learned the concept of enough and whatever I could do was enough...particularly in dealing with blinding headaches. From doing my own research on headaches, I found they were being caused by aspartame...a packet of equal in my coffee in the morning and a diet coke in the afternoon. When I eliminated them from my diet, the headaches stopped. What a blessing not to be in constant pain. I wish the same blessing for you. Are you near a clinic that has a program to help people deal with chronic pain? If you haven't tried that route, I hope you will. Was your surgery through your side or stomach? Take care... I'll let you know what the doctor says next week. Thanks again. Nancy