A HIGH flyer was determined to do whatever it took, even weight loss surgery, to ensure his escalating weight did not get in the way of his life-time ambition of being a pilot.

Bricket Wood resident Antony Harris was forced to give up his love of flying, after being diagnosed with type two diabetes, which made him gain a few extra pounds.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse for Antony, after his pilot's licence was revoked due to his weight-related health problems.

The keen flyer said: “I was devastated. I loved flying and while I was aware that my weight was an issue, I never thought it would get in the way of my life like this, so I knew I had to do something about it.”

He said he was determined to make sure he was fit to take to the skies again and went under the knife to have gastric by-pass surgery, which cured his diabetes and helped him shed more than five stone.

The 53-year-old had held a pilot's licence since 1979 and 1ast year, at 16 stone and only 5ft 5inches tall, he was experiencing health and emotional problems. He was diagnosed with type two diabetes, which needed to be drug-controlled.

He developed sleep-apnoea, a condition which interrupted his normal airflow, causing him to wake during the night after struggling to breathe.

Antony visited a consultant general surgeon at Spire Harpenden Hospital to find out about weight loss surgery, specifically a gastric band. After hearing the options available to him, he decided to have gastric by-pass surgery.

The operation, which was performed on Antony in October last year, divides the stomach and small intestine, shrinking the size of the stomach and reducing the amount he can eat.

He added: “Amazingly, after my surgery I no longer have type two diabetes and I haven't needed to take my medicines at all.

“My wife and children were always concerned about my health problems and are delighted with the results of my surgery. I am hoping to get my pilot's licence back and start flying again this year.”

Gastric by-pass surgery and gastric bands have been the centre of controversy for years and are sometimes seen as a last resort to help people with severe weight problems, including those who are described by doctors as morbidly obese.

It is often a popular option with people who are overweight and unable to lose the fat through exercise and dieting. However, a necessary requirement after surgery is for patients to stick to regular exercise and diet.

What do you think about this type of surgery, compared with natural weight loss? Tell us below.