Can I manipulate a figure while dialog box is open?

I created a listdlg box within a while loop which allows the user to select one or more variables to plot. Once the variables are selected, the figure is created, variable(s) are plotted and the listdlg box returns.

Only problem is that I'd like the user to be able to manipulate the figure (zoom in, pan, etc) while the listbox is visible. Is this possible? Something like running the listdlg in the background?