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.