Integrated Centre for Weight Loss, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
Dr. Tan Chun Hai
Fellowship Trained Specialist in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
MBBS (Melbourne), Masters of Medicine (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (General Surgery)
Table of Content
Welcome to Surgicare Integrated Centre for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
At Surgicare, we practice the Integrated Approach that emphasises on patient-centred, customised and effective medical therapies for weight loss and metabolic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.
Led by Dr Tan Chun Hai, our enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team includes experienced and compassionate behavioural health practitioners – Our Nurses, Dietitians and Physiotherapists offer a spectrum of interventional treatment regimens to ensure successful outcomes.
Multi-Disciplinary Team of Medical Specialists, Dietitians and Physiotherapists
We have a team of in-house Dietitians to provide nutritional counselling and assessments, followed by customised diet and fitness plans for patients with weight-related problems or medical conditions.
In addition to this, our in-house Physiotherapists provide customised weight management support programme to patients, enabling them to become more active in a safe and sustainable way.
Bariatric Surgery vs Metabolic Surgery
Bariatric surgery refers to procedures used to help patients who struggle with obesity, weight loss and manage obesity-related conditions. Also known as weight loss surgery, the goal of the procedure is reduce the patient’s capacity of digestion and appetite.
In contrast to bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery is specifically intended to address and improve obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, heart diseases, hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), and fatty liver.
Metabolic surgery has also been coined as diabetes surgery in recent years, when there is marked improvement in diabetes control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients who have undergone the procedure.
Surgery, however, does not “cure” diabetes; They help patients achieve better control or sometimes even remission (when your blood sugar levels return to a safe, non-diabetes level long-term).
Types of Bariatric Surgery
In general, bariatric surgery works by either limiting how much one can eat or to reduce the body’s ability to absorb fat and calories. Certain procedures are carried out to achieve both.
Helps you feel fuller after eating small amount of food, and feel less hungry in general.
Helps you to feel full quickly and reduce the amount of calories your body absorbs.
Mini Gastric Bypass / One Anastamosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)
Helps you feel full after eating less food and give the feeling of being fuller for longer.
Adjustable Gastric Band
Helps you feel full after eating less food and give the feeling of being fuller for longer.
Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD)
Helps you feel full after eating less food and give the feeling of being fuller for longer.
When to Consider Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can be considered as an option when patients struggle with obesity, and diet, exercise or medications haven’t worked.
It is also done when patients experience or are at risk of serious health problems because of their weight.
Why It is Done
Besides weight loss, bariatric surgery is also intended to reduce one’s risk of serious weight-related health problems such as:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Certain cancers, heart disease and stroke
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Who is a Candidate?
In general, bariatric surgery could be an option for people who struggle with obesity (BMI of 32.5 and above) and related issues such as Type 2 diabetes, and unable to lose weight through other methods.
In some cases, people with a BMI of 30 to 34 may also qualify for weight loss surgery if they struggle with weight-related health problems.
Achieve better control of obesity and obesity-related conditions.
Enquire about weight loss surgery with Dr. Tan Chun Hai.
Overview
How Effective is Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery?
Studies have shown that patients typically lose the most weight after 1-2 years after bariatric surgery. They are then able to maintain substantial weight loss with improvements in associated co-morbidities.
- Buchwald, H., et al. (2009). Weight and type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Medicine. 122(3) pp. 205- 206
- Chang SH et al. The Effectiveness and Risks of Bariatric Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, 2003-2012 JAMA (3)2014
Patients may lose up to 60% of excess weight six months after surgery, and up to 77% of excess body weight as early as 12 months after surgery.
- Wittgrove, A. C., et al. (2000). Laparoscopic gastric bypass, roux-en-y: 500 patients: technique and results, with 3-60 month follow-up. Obesity Surgery. 10(3) pp. 233- 239
Majority of bariatric surgery patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea experience complete resolution or improvement.
Featured on The Straits Times
Featured on The Straits Times In Sep 2022, Dr Tan Chun Hai and his patient, Mr Muhammad Siddique, was featured on The Straits Times, documenting how he successfully battled his weight with bariatric surgery, a controlled diet and exercise.
Featured on The Straits Times
In Sep 2022, Dr Tan Chun Hai was featured on The Straits Times, together with a selected few specialists to share on their expertise on ‘Preventing and treating medical conditions before they become more serious’. Dr Tan shared how metabolic and bariatric surgery can help improve conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.
Dr Tan Chun Hai (陈俊海医生)
Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric & General Surgeon
Endoscopy & Minimally-Invasive Surgery Specialist
Dr. Tan Chun Hai is a dual fellowship-trained specialist in laparoscopic (keyhole) stomach cancer surgery and Bariatric & Metabolic surgery. His clinical expertise includes the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques for stomach-related disorders, Gallstones, Appendicitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Dr. Tan also specialises in performing endoscopies/gastroscopies and colonoscopies. When applicable, Dr. Tan provides same-day treatment within a few hours of diagnosis. Dr. Tan subscribes to a less invasive practice, promoting less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Overall, Bariatric and Metabolic surgery has a mortality rate of 0.1%. This is comparable to the safest and most commonly performed surgeries such as gallbladder surgery, appendectomy, and knee replacement.
- Aminian, A., et al. (2015). How safe is metabolic/diabetes surgery? Diabetes Obesity Metabolism. Feb;17(2):198-201
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). (2007). Statistical Brief #23. Bariatric Surgery Utilization and Outcomes in 1998 and 2004
Bariatric and metabolic surgery is the most effective and long-lasting treatment for severe obesity resulting in significant weight loss and leading to improvement, prevention or resolution of many related disease such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and certain cancers. While Bariatric surgery can offer many benefits, you still will need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle to help ensure long term success of bariatric surgery.<?p>
- Weiner, R. A., et al. (2010). Indications and principles of metabolic surgery. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 81(4) pp.379-394
- Chang SH et al. The Effectiveness and Risks of Bariatric Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, 2003-2012 JAMA (3)2014
Studies have shown that bariatric surgery may reduce the patient’s risk of premature death by 30-50%.
- Sjöström. L., et al. (2007). Effects of bariatric surgery on mortality in Swedish obese subjects. New England Journal of Medicine. 357 pp. 741-752
- During a mean follow up for 7.1 years, adjusted long term mortality from any cause in the surgery group decreased by 40%, as compared to that in the control group (37.6 vs 57.1 deaths per 10,000 person-years, P<0.0001)
- Adams, T. D., et al. (2007). Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. New England Journal of Medicine. 357 pp. 753-761.
There are other weight loss solutions in Surgicare. Dr Tan will discuss with you and recommend which are the more suitable ones to suit your medical condition, diet and lifestyle. Dr Tan will ask you about your medical history, and do a thorough check-up. He may order some blood test and radiological scans.
The other options will include, lifestyle program, medications, low calorie meal replacement, or insertion of intra-gastric balloon. We have a multi-disciplinary team of dieticians, physiotherapist and nurses to help you in your journey.
Consultation with our bariatric surgeon starts from SGD 200, excluding GST. The cost of bariatric surgery varies based on the specific procedure and the complexity of each case, with considerations for surgeon fees, hospital fees, and consumables.
For a precise estimate, book an appointment to consult our doctor today.
You may be able to claim a certain amount from your hospitalization stay from Medisave. Speak to Dr Tan to find out more in details.
Bariatric and Metabolic surgeries are performed for medical reasons. These are not considered cosmetic surgery. The cost of your surgery whether will be covered by insurance will depend on you specific plan. Some insurance plans do not cover for sole weight loss alone. There will be better chances of qualification of coverage if surgery is indicated for obesity related co-morbidities and medical conditions rather than just weight loss.
To get a better understanding of insurance coverage for bariatric surgery, make an appointment to consult our doctor today.
Have a concern?
Send us your enquiry or give us a call at 6250 5610
For emergencies after hours, send us a text via WhatsApp > head to Gleneagles Urgent Care Centre and request for Dr. Tan Chun Hai
Our Clinic: 6A Napier Road, Gleneagles Hospital Annexe Block, #05-36A, Singapore 258500
