I've retained one bookshelf full of the files I actually need to consult occasionally, plus the Bookshelf of Unread Doom, i.e. all the books I've either bought or borrowed and haven't yet read. Since there are 72 of them, I doubt I'll pine away for lack of something to read; I may just become terminally twitchy because I can't read old favourites at whim. Twitch.

Have never had abdominal surgery, it sounds unpleasant. One's stomach muscles actually work quite hard on a day-to-day basis, although you wouldn't guess from my current state of flab.