Bariatric Surgery
For many Singaporeans, struggling with severe obesity and weight-related chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes or severe hypertension can feel like an uphill battle. When lifestyle changes stall, weight loss surgery (metabolic or bariatric surgery) becomes a life-saving medical necessity rather than a cosmetic luxury. Yet, the biggest
Pharmacotherapy
Finding out that your liver panel blood test and ultrasound scan point toward a fatty liver can be an unexpected and alarming shock. It’s completely normal to feel anxious when medical reports flag something new. However, before you assume the worst, here is the ground reality: Your liver is
Pharmacotherapy
Clinician's Perspective: • In Singapore, it is estimated that 12.7% of the population has a BMI of 30 or higher, a significant 22.8% of residents fall into the high-risk category (BMI ≥27.5) due to the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in Asian populations. • Healthy diet
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Hair loss is a common occurrence, affecting approximately 57% (nearly 6 in 10) of patients following metabolic and bariatric surgery. Most of the time, it is not severe. • Hair loss is often temporary; the incidence rate drops from 58% in the first year to 35% after
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in Singapore is recognized as a vital and effective treatment for patients with obesity and associated ill health. • It is a Medical Necessity, Not Cosmetic: Surgery is only subsidized and insurance-claimable if you meet strict clinical criteria. It is important to note
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • The condition formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has been officially renamed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) to better reflect its origins in metabolic health. • MASLD in the general population has risen from 25% in 2016 to more than 30% today,
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is often present in persons with obesity. Effective weight management in the form of Bariatric Surgery may lead to improved Blood Pressure control. • In a randomized controlled trial looking into how Roux en Y gastric bypass affects High Blood Pressure management, at
Understanding Obesity
Clinician's Perspective: • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is common amongst people with Obesity, however, OSA frequently occurs in non-obese individuals as well. • OSA is primarily driven by how the anatomy or shape of one's upper airway impairs air flow into the lungs. • Bariatric Surgery (weight-loss
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Hydration: Maintaining a daily fluid intake of at least 1 to 1.5 liters is important to prevent kidney complications and reduce symptoms of nausea and tiredness. • Protein: Consuming 60 to 100 grams of protein daily is mandatory to reduce the loss of muscle mass, which
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Mortality rates for bariatric procedures are statistically low, generally observed at less than 0.3% (approximately 3 in 1,000 patients) within the first 30 days. • Early Complications: Immediate post-surgical risks include Venous Thromboembolism (blood clots in the veins) and Anastomotic Leaks (leakage at the
Understanding Obesity
Clinician's Perspective: • Insulin Resistance: 95% of patients with obesity and PCOS exhibit Insulin Resistance (a condition where cells fail to respond effectively to insulin), compared to 75% in lean patients. • Visceral Adiposity: Excessive internal belly fat is identified as the primary driver of metabolic dysfunction because it contains
Bariatric Surgery
Clinician's Perspective: • Data indicates that five years after reaching their nadir (lowest weight point), 50.2% of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients regain a modest amount of weight, around 15% of the weight they initially lost. • The GLP-1 Deficit: While bariatric surgery successfully restores the postprandial