As a young man, Mark Layton was an active individual who never struggled with his weight. But as the years passed and Mark spent more and more time at his desk, the weight accumulated. By his late 40s, Mark’s weight reached an all-time high and he was diagnosed with type two diabetes.
In 2011, Mark’s endocrinologist gave him a wake-up call. “He said I was on a collision course for something awful. I was only 54 years old, but with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a need for 200 units of insulin a day, I would be lucky to live a long life.”
That’s when Mark’s endocrinologist recommended the Michigan Bariatric Institute. Mark attended an informational session and started researching bariatric surgery. Together, the Layton’s committed to Mark’s surgery and all it entailed – dieting, exercise and educational seminars before and after surgery.
In June 2012, Mark underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the removal of approximately 75 percent of his stomach, leaving a two to three ounce stomach structured as a narrow tube. Recovery was relatively quick and painless, and Mark’s type two diabetes was gone in the matter of a week.
Mark and his wife committed to daily walking. Mark even bought a bike. The pounds started coming off and Mark was thinner, healthier and happier. He even began to run. In March of 2013, Mark ran his first 5K after a suggestion from his wife.
Over the next year, Mark kept running. He ran several 10K races and completed a 15K. Then, he started doing the math. “I was running a 15K, and I thought, what’s a few more miles? Why not do a half marathon?” Mark trained and completed his first half marathon early in 2014.
In October 2014, Mark ran the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon. This time, he had his daughter with him for the first half, the same daughter who followed in her father’s footsteps and had bariatric surgery from the Michigan Bariatric Institute last year.
“My daughter and I have both lost more than 100 pounds,” Mark said. “My golf game has improved, I have more energy and I am much healthier. My diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are all gone.” None of this would have been possible without bariatric surgery.
For more information about the Michigan Bariatric Institute, visit www.stmarymercy.org/mbi-livonia or call 877-Why-Weight (877-949-9344).
