Question:
LET'S CHANGE THIS OTHER SIDE NONSENSE
I don't know about the rest of you, but I have talked to many people in chat and they do not like the saying, "Other Side" after WLS. How about we use something else. One person in chat today thought Karla had died, because they heard someone say she passed on to the other side. This is a really morbid saying and frankly many don't like it. Kokoro, in chat suggested we use "New beginning". What do you all think? — Laura L. (posted on September 23, 1999)
September 23, 1999
I don't see this as nonsense. I like the saying and always am happy to
hear that someone made it to the other side. Personally, I think those
that are offended are the ones with the problem. They see it as a
religious thing. SO WHAT! There is nothing wrong with being religious
anyway. Lets quit bickering about what is "politically correct"
and get on with the agenda of supporting each other. If you don't like it,
don't use it. But don't force those who do like it and are comfortable
with it to conform to your ways. It is still a free world, isn't it?
— [Anonymous]
September 23, 1999
I agree whole heartedly "New Beginning" sounds a lot better than
using the phrase "the other side".
— yolanda M.
September 23, 1999
I agree! I knew what (at this site) "passed to the other side"
meant; however, it does kind of give me a creepy feeling of sadness and I
do think of someone dying - although, as I said, I do know differently.
New beginnings sounds very optimistic and upbeat to me. Good work!
— Sandy C.
September 23, 1999
I also agree! I am looking at my future open RNY as my "grand"
opening or my rebirthday!
— Diane S.
September 23, 1999
I thought the exact same thing when I first joined up. Here I was crying
while I was reading some of these letters. It wasn't until I had read
about 5 or 6 that I figured out that it was a good thing. I think that the
phrase should be changed to something with a little more life and
excitement.
— Heather A.
September 23, 1999
I don't think the "other side" means anything religious as
"Anonymous" posted. But it did strike me as a little
"scarey" when I first starting logging in and saw that. I won't
say it myself but "to each his own".
— Christina D.
September 23, 1999
I like new beginnings!
— Mary P.
September 24, 1999
I Think the term THE OTHER SIDE is a little morbid to, NEW BEGINNINGS
sounds like what we are tring to do and that is start a new way of living.
— Lisa W.
September 24, 1999
Personally, I LIKE 'the other side'. That's where I am, on the other side
of my surgery. No more uphill struggles, its all downhill from here!
Maybe we just shouldn't say 'passed' to the other side, that sounds like
one has died. I am living on the Other Side, and loving it!
— Jaye C.
September 24, 1999
"The Light Side of the Scale"? :) (she says, as a pre-op of 400
or so pounds)
— kmcgarghan
September 24, 1999
I like to tell people "welcome to the Loser's Club."
— Leslie F.
September 24, 1999
I would have to agree with the majority on this issue. I did figure out
that "the other side" meant a good thing, but I tried it on for
size with my hubby and he was very shocked with what I had just said, I
didn't even think about it until after I had said it. I realized it is a
"mobid" statement... and with the major part of the population
not understanding what our surgery means to "us" they may not
understand it is a good thing... I like everyone's ideas on descibing
colofully what this is. Then I started thinking what it meant to me...
what I came up with is nothing special, or really imaginative, but it works
well: "A NEW LIFE".
— Jamie T.
September 25, 1999
Love your idea. I also hate the saying "made it to the other
side." I also thought they were saying the person had died. But then
they were happy so I finally figured out what they meant. But it is morbid.
People usually use that statement to mean you died. Great suggestion!
— Penny W.
September 25, 1999
Thanks for mentioning this ... I too initially thought people had died in
surgery several times when reading they'd passed to the other side. This
is a term used much in funerals and eulogies, but I thought I was the only
one who was misunderstanding the posts. How about ... the surgery was
succesful and the patient is doing great ... ? Just a thought :)
— Sherrie G.
September 26, 1999
I think New Beginings sounds like a winner to me I do not like the other
side either. I hope others agree !!
— michele K.
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