WLS article in local newspaper

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http://specials.tribstar.com/obesity/baty.html

Valley men take different paths on weight-loss roadLarry BattyA NEW LIFESTYLE

Baty, 38, of Paris, Ill., didn't always have a weight problem. Standing at 6

feet, 1 inch, Baty was a healthy 235 pounds 16 years ago. But after he moved

from California to Illinois, he became a truck driver, and everything changed.

Gradually, his new profession brought added pounds to his waistline.

" The lifestyle - you know, you eat and drive, eat and drive and sleep, " he

recalled. " You just don't get enough exercise. "

Eventually Baty gained about 100 pounds and failed at several diets, which

prompted him to consider bariatric surgery. He researched the procedure for

about a year, but could never convince himself to do it. Finally, after

calculating that he had a body mass index of 44 - anything greater than 40 is

considered obese - he knew he needed to lose the extra weight and improve his

life.

" I [calculated my BMI] a year ago the first time and thought I needed to do

something ... but put it off because I didn't want to take time off work, " he

said.

Then, something unexpected pushed Baty's search for a surgeon into high

gear.

BACK PAIN

In April, Baty was at home when he bent over to grab a diaper bag off the

floor. As he stood up, a pain shot through his back. A visit to the doctor

revealed that Baty had a bulging disc and pinched nerve that would require

surgery.

Ordinarily, the procedure wouldn't be a problem, but Baty was told that his

weight could compromise the surgery's success. He would have to find a way to

lose weight.

Baty opted for gastric bypass surgery, a procedure he thought would be the

quickest way to lose weight. He chose Dr. RoseMarie of the St.

Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Excellence in Carmel; his insurance approved the

procedure within 24 hours.

" You never know what they're going to say, " he said. " I was just relieved

that something could be done to get my life back. "

FAMILY MATTERS

But Baty could not look forward without glancing back at how obesity had

affected his life. For years, the disease that had robbed him of health also had

restricted quality time with his family.

Before the surgery, Larry's wife, , said she was happy her husband was

finally taking the steps to regain his life.

" It's made him a lot more self-conscious, less active with the kids, " she

said. " It's a difficult time right now because his weight inhibits him from

doing things with the kids and his friends. "

Daughter , 9, had become the object of teasing because of her dad's

weight. Her classmates would call him " fat " when he would pick up and her

brother, , 7, from school.

" I told my dad it made me feel upset. I didn't like my dad being called

'fat,' " said , a thin, athletic redhead. She looked forward to being able

to swim, ride bikes and play basketball with her father.

Larry, too, was hopeful the surgery would allow him to be more active in his

children's lives.

" My kids can't wait, " he said before the surgery. " They understand that

Dad's gonna be skinny and be able to do the things he couldn't. "

Larry's father, Orville Baty, had been concerned about his son's weight for

some time. With a family history of heart problems, Orville said he feared his

son's health would eventually take a turn for the worse.

" I don't feel that a parent should have to bury his children. I had a lot of

anxiety about it, " he said, confiding he often asked his son to lose weight. " I

know he wasn't completely happy with his weight, but he never let me see if it

got him down or not. He seemed to be OK with it. "

Although hopeful that the surgery would give Larry a boost toward better

health, knew it wouldn't be easy for him to change his eating habits.

" I think it's very courageous that he's made that decision and plans to

stick with it, " said of Larry's weight-loss plan, " because it will be a

long road. "

ONE LAST HOPE

At the time of his surgery, Sept. 9, Baty weighed 347.

" This really shows I need to do something, " he said the day before the

operation. " This is my last hope to lose weight, keep it off and change my

life. "

His excitement, however, was not without fear.

" I've lost all appetite, " he said. " I'm nervous. I'm just scared that

something might go wrong, and with any major surgery there's just those

thoughts. "

According to , the surgery went as expected, lasting 45 minutes without

complications. , who said she has performed nearly 3,000 bariatric

surgeries, separated the stomach into a small, functional organ and one large

section that secretes acid for breaking down of food.

" They lose [weight] basically because they eat small portions and they fill

up quickly, " she said, adding that as long as a patient eats the correct foods

and supplements them with vitamins, the weight loss is healthy. Patients can

expect to lose about 100 pounds in six months, she said.

Baty's post-surgery meals were 2-ounce servings, or the size of a small

medicine cup, of high-fiber foods. He ate with a baby spoon and drank with a

" sippy cup " to aid him in portion control so he wouldn't harm his new stomach.

" [Portion size] gradually increases over the months as he needs to slow down

his weight loss, " said.

GETTING BACK HIS LIFE

Since his surgery, Baty has lost 70 pounds and re-discovered his life. He

spends more time with and as a part-time librarian at their

schools, a parent chaperone at the after-school program and a coach for 's

traveling basketball team.

says her dad is more involved with her life.

" At the after-school program, no one can figure out the rules and he helps

us play fair, " she said. " He helps us get them [the other team] out. "

Baty and his children also make regular visits to the Paris YMCA to swim or

play basketball - things he would never do before.

" It's nice to have energy, " Baty admits. " It's nice to not see the scale say

'340.' "

Baty said he has dropped six clothing sizes to a 40, and sees the biggest

difference in his face and legs. Ironically, the problem that initiated the

surgery has subsided.

" My back has really improved, " he said. " I just have a couple times when my

leg is in a certain position that it hurts. It used to be in pain all the time. "

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