Question:
The Other Side
— [Anonymous] (posted on September 24, 1999)
September 24, 1999
What a beautiful and well thought out letter. I empathize and relate to
your plight..and I share your hopes for a changed life. I wish you well on
the 4th of October. SuzieM
— Suzie M.
September 24, 1999
How wonderfully put!! BRAVO to you. I have reached "the other
side" and I can't even begin to tell everyone of all the changes that
the surgery has made in my life. I thank God everyday for letting me have
the opportunity to live a "normal" life. I have a freedom now
that I never had before. I was overweight most of my life and I had a
mother and sister that were size 5-7's. It was rough. Most of all I berated
myself for not being able to control myself and hating every minute of it.I
felt like losing weight was overwhelming- I had 200# to lose.I knew when I
had this surg that this was the answer for me, and that I would FINALLY
succeed. I am not at goal yet (40 more to go) but That's not the most
important thing to me now, I feel good and I really like myself, and I
guess I don't look too bad either(from what I'm told). Thank you for
sharing your story with us. God Bless you and YOU GO GIRL!!!!Anxiously
awaiting you on the "other side" Jan Terry
— Jan T.
September 24, 1999
Hi! What a beautiful piece you have written. Although I am not into
'political correctness', it amazes me that ANY other group of people
(alcoholics, geriatrics, sex addicts, minorities, women, homosexuals,
developmentally disabled....you get the idea) can be 'understood' and
'protected', except the obese! I know just what you mean about people
thinking that because you are fat, you must be lazy and stupid. I am a
college educated woman (with a 3.9 average at graduation), an Army veteran,
a Registered Professional Nurse (an LPN, too), the cofounder of and board
member of an international animal charity (anyone on the site as crazy
about Bernese Mountain Dogs as I am?), a wife of 19 years and mother for 9
years. And, these are just a few of my accomplishments! I'm not trying to
blow my own horn or impress anyone, but when people look at me, they don't
see any of that. They see FAT. They don't even begin to imagine that I am
any of these things, just another housewife who got fat and lazy......it
makes me so angry! Why is it OK for people who don't even know me to make
remarks to me about my weight? Whatever happened to the idea that you
can't judge a book by it's cover? Well, I said ENOUGH, climbed the
mountain, stood at the pinnacle, took a deep breath, and stepped over on
July 29th, 1999. I will be forever grateful to Eric Klein for providing
this web site, where I received the majority of the information I needed on
WLS to make an informed, educated decision. Also to Dr. Greenbaum, my
surgeon, who is truly devoted to his WLS patients and strives to provide
them with the tools to shed their weight and be the people they want to be.
And also, thank you to all who have contributed information, answers, and
especially prayers and support during my decision-making and subsequent
surgery and recovery (you know who you are...especially Michelle, Cindy
Lou, Bob, Kim, and Carrie). Let's all remember where we WERE while we are
on the road to recovery and health, and educate the ignorant to the facts
of morbid obesity with generosity and love. Let's all be good to each
other! With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart, Jaye Carl, standing on
The Other Side, open RNY 7-29-99, 48 pounds lost forever!
— Jaye C.
September 24, 1999
What a beautiful letter you have written. You will be happy after the
surgery. I know I couldn't be happier. I did not mean to offend anyone
with wanting to change the phrase Passing onto the other side. I have
received 16 emails saying they did not like the phrase either. One email
that said to leave it alone. I did ask for opinions on what people
thought. I am not hell bent about it, but had not meet one person who
liked the phrase so thought I would put the suggestion out there. In order
to get along, I guess we will all use the term that we want and favor. I
am not against religion. I highly believe it should be put back into our
society. So, sorry again friends, didn't mean to upset anyone.
— Laura L.
September 24, 1999
I agree with you completely. I have so many "New Beginnings"
that I am really glad to be "on the other side". No more
"New Beginnings" because there is no end. No one wants to offend
anyone but since I have been to several support groups and they all use the
same terminology, most people understand what you are talking about when
you mention the other side. I personally don't see the harm in this
terminology and this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone not
liking it. And so goes the saying you can please all the people some of
the time, some of the people all the time, but you can't please all the
people all the time.
— bperrin
September 25, 1999
Thank you so much for your explanation and openess! How well I know the
feeling of wanting that other person inside to die ... and the true me to
emerge confident and secure! Best wishes on your surgery, it's a couple
days before my 5th anniversary of my surgery, and I wouldn't have changed
my decision for anything. I AM emeging energetic, vibrant, confident and
happy! Keep us posted!
— Sherrie G.
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