# Less than a month til my abdominal redecorating! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 21, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859 "2002-08-21T04:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/1 "2002-08-21T04:03:38Z")
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!! They moved my surgery date to September 19 (from the 17th) which puts it at pretty much a month from now. I’m nervous. I’m terrified. I’m excited. I’m exstatic. I’m having a BPD/DS (bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) aka “[Duodenal Switch](http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Procedure/procedure.html)” surgery. This is a newer and IMO superior surgery to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery that is the common weight loss surgery option. Anyway… It’s really going to happen! I can’t believe it. Just think… by Christmas I might actually be presentable! ---
**Author:** ![d12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@d12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d12)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/2 "2002-08-21T04:58:28Z")
1. You’re already presentable! 2. Hi Opal 😉 3. Hope the surgery goes A-Ok! 4. I couldn’t think of a number 4. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/3 "2002-08-21T05:03:08Z")
number 4? what would that be… vomit? earwax? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/4 "2002-08-21T05:23:28Z")
All the best for the surgery, **OpalCat**. Must admit, I think you’re brave. ---
**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/5 "2002-08-21T06:25:31Z")
If there’s any leftover bits can I have 'em? I’ve built up quite a collection of friend’s wisdom teeth, and anything you have to offer is welcome in my collection! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/6 "2002-08-21T06:44:44Z")
There should be about 3/4 of a stomach and probably some bits and pieces of intestine. I can ask them to put them in a jar for you if you want. Typically I try not to post the pictures of myself that show how fat I am. I try to go for the ones with better lighting or camera angles that make it look a little better than it is. Ok now for the really scary, flat-out honest, horribly humbling part. If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it openly and with absolute full acceptance of A) what I was B) what I am and C) what I will be. I’ve put up a page on my site (no!! not you?) where I will document my progress (assuming I don’t die on the table or anything) and talk about my surgery. So far, it is pictures of when I was thin (sob) and pictures of me now. As I really am. Not the ones with the good lighting. [http://opalcat.com/wls.html](http://opalcat.com/wls.html) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/7 "2002-08-21T07:02:54Z")
Here is an example of the lighting/camera angle thing… I’m the same weight in all of these pictures. [http://www.opalcat-things.com/images/235lbs.jpg](http://www.opalcat-things.com/images/235lbs.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/8 "2002-08-21T07:18:37Z")
Of course, by posting those pix of your ladder-tumble bruise your guaranteed to look better in _any_ ‘after’ photo. Talk about the last peach on the produce wagon. Owtch! ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/9 "2002-08-21T07:24:43Z")
LOL yeah well it was one of those rare occassions when I allowed myself to be photographed full-body, so I didn’t have much to choose from 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/10 "2002-08-21T07:48:53Z")
**OpalCat** , there is a very well known lady here in Memphis who had the same surgery, and she claims it’s done wonders for her. I didn’t really know her beforehand, but she seems very happy these days. Honestly, I don’t know much about such things (and I’m certainly not going to be voyeuristic and go look at your site for the whaddayaknow thrill of it, since I don’t know you a bit), but if you’re happy with your decision, then I’m thrilled for you. It’s no different from getting a tattoo/piercing, or having one’s teeth straightened. Kudos to you for having the courage to do something controversial for yourself, and I wish you all the happiness you want! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/11 "2002-08-21T14:43:21Z")
Number Four - NO POOFTERS. ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/12 "2002-08-21T15:31:06Z")
Good luck, **Opal**! Just remember that the surgery only changes the outside. You have to remember you’re still the same person on the inside. (Well, metaphorically speaking. ;)) Best wishes for a safe, expedient surgery, and a quick recovery. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/13 "2002-08-21T16:29:23Z")
Hey everybody… menudo at Opal’s! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/14 "2002-08-21T17:08:36Z")
Yeah For Opal! A couple of questions, if you don’t mind: 1. How long did it take you to decide to do this? 2)Does your insurance cover it? 2. If no to #3, may I inquire how much? 3. What does your doctor say about it? 6)How long of a recovery time is expected? I am very excited for you. ---
**Author:** ![Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smashed_Ice_Cream)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/15 "2002-08-21T17:48:22Z")
Yay Opal! I’m sure you’re really excited. I had a friend a few years ago have the gastric bypass and ended up losing probably 100+ pounds in what seemed like a very short time. Here’s hoping you have a speedy, easy recovery and great sucess with it!! ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/16 "2002-08-21T18:06:19Z")
I hope the surgery goes well for you, Opal. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/17 "2002-08-21T18:51:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skerri \* > \*\*Good luck, **Opal**! Just remember that the surgery only changes the outside. You have to remember you’re still the same person on the inside. (Well, metaphorically speaking. ;))… > \*\* Nope. Not at all. Lots of psychological changes come with the physical changes: Adapting to the new body. Not automatically walking into Lane Bryant stores at the mall. Loss of girl ‘friends’ who see you as a threat to their mates. Lots of folks who wouldn’t give you the time of day before now give you a second look and want to be your friend. The exhilaration of sitting in a theatre seat and not getting wedged in. Not going to “All-You-Can-Eat” buffets, since they are not cost effective for you ($9.95 for a bowl of soup?!?!). People see you as ‘more intelligent’ (fat = dumb) Getting used to stretch marks The confusion of realizing your wardrobe ranges from 8 to 16, depending on the style, instead of a single number starting with 2 or containing multiple Xs. Realizing you actually have a backbone and people take your opinion more seriously. Realizing that horizontal stripes can actually look pretty good on you. (still not gonna try ‘cow prints’ for awhile…) Yup. Lots of changes (both good and not-so-good). Been there. Done that. Bought the (smaller size) t-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Monalisa9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Monalisa9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monalisa9)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/18 "2002-08-21T19:11:06Z")
My friend had this surgery in April and as of last week, she has lost 75 lbs.! She is doing great, but she said it was an ordeal as her inscision became infected. Big Deal, she has always been way overweight (much more than you), and I think that whatever she had to go thru, she would be glad about it. She still has to lose another 75. ---
**Author:** ![Anaximenes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e99b99/32.png) [@Anaximenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaximenes)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/19 "2002-08-21T19:52:54Z")
Did you remember to add the cost of a new wardrobe to the total price of the surgery? ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859/20 "2002-08-21T20:35:51Z")
I know one person, an online friend, who has had weight loss surgery. She had more to lose than your entire weight and she’s not yet halfway to goal. My conception of the surgery is that people who do it are in a very different weight catagory than you are, although this is based on just this one person and a few websites she’s led me to. So, I’m wondering, did you have a hard time convincing the doctor that you were a good candidate for the surgery? What about the insurance companies? BTW, I am not criticizing your choice. I am sure it was a rough road reaching this decision. Best of luck to you! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/less-than-a-month-til-my-abdominal-redecorating/124859.md?page=2)