A RESEARCH study into different types of surgery used to tackle obesity is underway in Sunderland.

The By-Band-Sleeve study is examining the benefits of bariatric surgery and aims to find out whether gastric bands, gastric sleeves or gastric bypass operations are the most effective.

It is being carried out on behalf of The National Institute for Health Research [NICR], which is raising awareness of the potential benefits of clinical research in relation to obesity.

Obesity in the UK have almost trebled in the last 30 years and NICR surveys found 20 per cent of people in the North-East and Cumbria did not know the difference between being obese and overweight.

Yitka Graham, Health Services Specialty Group Lead in the NIHR Clinical Research Network: North East and North Cumbria, said: “Clinical research will play a vital role in developing better and more cost effective treatments for people who are obese. Crucially, it also looks at the reasons for weight gain, which can help us address long-term solutions for the causes and development of the condition.”

“We need to know which operation is most effective and who it’s most effective for. Based on that information, we can make informed decisions about which type of surgery to recommend, safe in the knowledge it is the most cost effective choice for the NHS.”

Peter Wright, from Gateshead, took part in a study on the effect of bariatric surgery on type 2 diabetes. After undergoing a gastric by-pass his diabetes has disappeared, while his asthma is also better and he no longer needs a knee replacement.

He said: “I was terrified before the surgery, but feel like a new person now. I was out of hospital in 3 days and within a few months I could climb mountains."