I have not had surgery, but heat and humidity dramatically decrease my symptoms. I would seriously consider moving to a location in a few years which offered a consistent sweaty weather pattern. I feel almost "normal" when I'm in this type of climate.

When my breathing was at my worse due to phrenic nerve irritation/compression, I could ruggedly hike in this type of climate without gasping and wheezing were I could barely get up my stairs at home.

We are all so different - yet similar.