Eleven years ago today, St. Patrick's Day, I was 4'11" and 225+ lbs. I have no idea what size I was wearing.  I wore lots of t-shirts and they were all XLs.  Eleven years ago today I had a gastric bypass.  Today, I'm still 4'11" tall *heh* -- now I'm 109 lbs.  I'm wearing a size 1, comfortably.  My measurements are 34" - 26" - 36". 

When I was in my teens, my aunt used to make some of my summer dresses so I know, back then, my measurements were 34" - 24" -34".  My uncle used to call me Peanut because even when I was a little girl, he said I was shaped like a peanut.  *sigh*  I loved being his Lil Peanut.  So ... I suspect the extra two inches in my waist and hips now is due to menopause or some such woman thang like that.

Even though I lost several friends and a husband within a year of the surgery, I wouldn't change things for the world.  The only thing that bothers me about being small is, it's difficult to take a Chihuahua with A Great Dane attitude too seriously.  But then, I've always been small, so that's always been the case.  On the other hand, it makes some people feel very protective of me and I like that.  An extra is that one of my dearest friends, a 6' plus, husky man, can pick me up and throw me over his shoulder of lift me over his head.  Even though I'm not attracted to him in that way, being man handled like that is pretty heady stuff.  But I digress ...

Being svelte has advantages but the biggest advantage is my health.  When I had the gastric bypass, my liver was in the beginning stages of sclerosis.  I was told if I didn't take off the weight, I would be dead within two years.  I tried, I really tried.  Food isn't like heroine or cocaine or marijuana.  You HAVE to eat, whereas you don't have to use illegal drugs to survive.  My only recourse was gastric bypass.  Because the liver is the only organ to regenerate itself, my liver is completely healthy now.  Of course I now have a scar from stem to stern and it is NOT attractive.  But oh well, love me, love my scars.  I'm not sorry -- I'll never be sorry.

I know y'all are dying to see the progression.  Cast your gaze upon the wonder that is Friday's Child!  *rolling eyes*  Honestly, I can hardly believe that that butterball is me.  =^p

[edit] Someone said that link didn't work so if it doesn't work for you, try this one.  It's only a cheesy Photobucket slideshow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, y'all!

*note*  My best buddy, Meecie, is having her gastric bypass 3/19, this Wednesday.  Y'all can watch her progress here.