Don -- this is pretty scary. I strongly urge you to join the facebook page for people with paralyzed diaphragms. There are over 1100 people on it now who have paralyzed diaphragms and hundreds who have had the plication surgery you had where the surgeons sew pleats to hold the paralyzed diaphragm down. The knowledge these people have based on first hand experience and their own research is amazing. They are so supportive and answer any and all questions. Most doctors don't know much about paralyzed diaphragms, and a universal complaint is surgeons don't tell you anything about how to recover from plication surgery. People on the facebook group can help you through it. I thought facebook was a waste of time but joined it just to join this group. It was a really smart decision for me. Did they cut your chest open or use robots and minimally invasive techniques? The method of the operation will greatly determine your recovery. I hope your recovery will go well. Best wishes!