Obesity Treatment in Singapore
- Top Accredited Hospitals
- Global Medical Standards
- Cutting-Edge Technology
- Proven Treatment Options
- High Success Rate
- Trusted by Millions
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a complex condition primarily caused by excess body fat. Obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. This medical condition increases the risk of many other illnesses and health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, sleep apnea, and many forms of cancer are among them.
Some individuals struggle to lose weight for various reasons. Sometimes, obesity is caused by a combination of environmental, physiological, genetic, dietary, and lifestyle factors, including exercise and physical activity choices.
What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?
Obesity must be treated in time to prevent significant health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. Early treatment can enhance overall health and well-being by reducing the risk of long-term diseases, improving quality of life, and facilitating proper weight management. It also leads to better long-term control and successful weight loss.
What are the Common Symptoms of Obesity?
Common symptoms of obesity include the following:
- Excessive Body Fat: Gaining much weight in the thighs, hips, and abdomen.
- Breathlessness: Shortness of breath upon exertion
- Fatigue: Weak and getting tired, even after rest.
- Snoring or Sleep apnea refers to breathing difficulties that often disturb sleep.
- Excessive Sweating: Excessive sweating, often occurring at rest or during exercise.
- Difficulty moving around and, for this reason, being unable to carry out any physical activity.
- Increased Appetite: Always feeling hungry or constantly craving food.
- Mood Changes: Depressed, anxious, or feelings of low self-esteem, feelings linked to weight-related problems.
Causes and Risk Factors of Obesity
Causes
- Poor Diet: Consumption of processed snacks, sugary drinks, high-calorie foods, and low-nutrient fast food.
- Lack of Physical Activity: Prolonged sitting and inactivity lead to lower caloric expenditure.
- Genetics: Genetic predisposition, inherited genes, and family history may influence the body's way of storing fat and controlling metabolism.
- Medical Conditions: Insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can increase the risk of obesity.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances in leptin, ghrelin, and insulin may affect appetite and fat storage.
- Emotional Factors: Overeating as a coping mechanism may be caused by stress, despair, and emotional eating.
Risk Factors
- Age
- Physical Inactivity
- Poor Diet
- Medical Conditions
- Medications
- Psychological Factors
- Socioeconomic Factors
- Sleep Issues
Connect with our advisor for a PRIORITY response
Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Obesity in Singapore
Innovative strategies for addressing obesity are being highlighted by recent research from Singapore, which focuses on non-invasive, technology-based solutions. For example, mobile apps are being used to provide behavioural support and tailored nutritional advice, helping individuals better manage their eating habits. Additionally, a new injectable hydrogel treatment that activates with near-infrared light has shown encouraging results in reducing body fat by converting white fat into energy-burning tissue. Community-driven lifestyle programs that combine exercise, mental health support, and dietary guidance have also been effective in achieving measurable weight loss.
Obesity Prevention Tips
Here are some tips for preventing obesity:
Keep Your Diet Balanced: Limit processed foods, sugar-filled beverages, and high-calorie snacks while eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats.
Maintain Your Physical Activity Level: Try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as swimming, cycling, or walking, on most days of the week.
Control Portion Sizes: Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and be aware of portion sizes to prevent overindulgence.
Keep Yourself Hydrated: Limit sugary drinks and sip water throughout the day.
Get Enough Sleep: Get between seven and nine hours of sound sleep every night. Lack of sleep can alter appetite hormones and cause overeating.
Treatment options for Obesity
Gastric Bypass: This technique prevents food intake and nutrient absorption by bypassing a portion of the small intestine and creating a tiny pouch-like stomach.
Cost Start From USD 20000 - USD 30000Explore Options
Sleeve Gastrectomy: A sleeve-shaped stomach that limits food intake is left behind after a significant section of the stomach is removed during a sleeve gastrectomy.
Cost Start From USD 15000 - USD 30000Explore Options
Lap Gastric Banding: restricts the amount of food consumed by wrapping a band around the upper part of the stomach to form a small pouch known as an Adjustable Gastric Banding or lap band.
Cost Start From USD 15000 - USD 30000Explore Options
- Clinical assessment:
- Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination evaluates overall health. This includes measuring waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. It helps estimate body fat distribution and the possible risk of developing diabetes or heart problems.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to screen for potential subclinical medical disorders such as insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, hyperglycemia, and high cholesterol that could be associated with obesity.
- Imaging Tests:
- The DEXA scan is a test that measures bone density, lean mass, and fat mass. It provides a detailed assessment of fat distribution, which is essential to understand the health risks associated with obesity.
- Ultrasound: Fatty liver and abdominal fat are common conditions in obese individuals, and ultrasound imaging can be used to assess these conditions.
Our MediRehab facilities, part of MediGence, offer physical therapy services for international patients. We also have convenient teleconsultation options so that patients all over the globe can receive expert treatment remotely. A few services such as:
- Behaviouraltherapy is focused on solving emotional eating, developing self-control, and changing pathological eating habits. It may aid people in formulating and reaching weight loss objectives, and it may use support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or counselling.
- Physical therapy: Customised exercise programs for obese individuals help improve their strength, cardiovascular fitness, and ambulation ability. A physical therapist can design low-impact exercises that gradually increase the intensity of a patient's activity without causing harm.
- Depending on the situation, your healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms and support the treatment plan.
Instantly Connect with our Specialists
Hospitals for Obesity in Singapore
Gleneagles Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Gleneagles Hospital, located on Napier Road in Singapore, is a leading private healthcare institution offering comprehensive medical services and advanced clinical care. With 221 beds and a strong team of medical specialists, the hospital holds the Singapore Quality Class certification for excellence in healthcare. Its state-of-the-art facilities include ICU, HDU, NICU, Urgent Care Centre, operating theatres, radiology, endoscopy, laboratories, and rehabilitation units. Gleneagles specializes in orthopaedics, oncology, women’s health, and gastroenterology, offering tailored programs for cancer, bone, and gut health. With modern maternity packages and patient-friendly rooms, the hospital ensures compassionate, high-quality care focused on safety, comfort, and recovery.
Farrer Park Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Farrer Park Hospital located in Connexion, Singapore has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- A medical centre is linked to the Farrer Park Hospital Complex, Connexion, Singapore
- The focus of the hospital is to bring together two essential elements: those of healthcare combined with hospitality.
- There is a building with 20 different stories which comprises Owen Link, hotel and spa.
- Personal attention and patient care focus is maintained with a system in place of listening, analysing, evaluating and then implementing a treatment plan.
- 121 bed capacity
- Technology and innovations help provide the best of medical and surgical treatment options.
- Professionally implemented international patient care systems
- Suites: Cardiovascular, day surgery, endoscopy, major surgery, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and inpatient suite
- Diagnostic imaging and intensive care unit
- 24 hour emergency clinic and pharmacy
- Facilities such as dialysis, nutrition services, rehab centre, and teaching clinic
Our Services to better your experience
Opinion & Option
We submit the most accurate opinion and options from one or more countries for your review
Consult Privately
Consult with a certified specialist privately on our telemedicine platform even before you decide to travel
Logistics
We handle flights, visas, transfers, and accommodation—so you can focus on your health.
Recovery
Our In-house rehabilitation service packages to better your recovery and treatment outcome
Why Choose Singapore for Obesity Treatment?
Singapore is a popular destination for treating obesity for several significant reasons:
Affordable Healthcare: Compared to many Western countries, Singapore provides affordable treatment options, including weight loss programs and bariatric surgery, at a fraction of the cost.
Highly Trained Medical Professionals
Singapore has highly trained doctors and surgeons, many of whom are internationally qualified and knowledgeable about the latest obesity treatments.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Most hospitals in Singapore are equipped with the latest medical technology to ensure high-quality care and adhere to international healthcare standards.
There are various treatment options, ranging from incredibly complex bariatric operations to non-surgical weight loss programs. Patients can expect therapy plans that address their specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-balanced diet rich in nutritious food with limited portions will help you lose weight. Include common exercises, such as 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and drink plenty of water. Eat mindfully, get seven to nine hours of good sleep, and use yoga or other stress-reduction techniques. To maintain motivation, set reasonable weight loss objectives, don't skip meals, and surround yourself with encouraging people.
Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss method for severely obese individuals that alters the digestive tract to help the patient lose weight. The options include sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, and gastric bypass. Candidates must have failed other efforts at weight loss and have a BMI of 40 or higher or 35 or higher with obesity-related medical conditions. To undergo the procedure, they must also be generally healthy and committed to lifestyle changes over the rest of their lives.
Although the recovery time after bariatric surgery in Singapore varies by patient and technique, it generally takes three to six weeks. Patients usually spend one to three days in the hospital immediately following surgery. The diet is liquid or soft food for the first few weeks, and rest is essential.
Most people can return to mild work or hobbies within two to three weeks, but physical activity should be avoided for four to six weeks. Complete healing takes six months, but readjusting to the new food and lifestyle changes may take up to three months.
There are several types of bariatric surgery, all of which aim at helping patients lose weight by affecting changes to the digestive system in some way:
- Gastric Bypass: This technique prevents food intake and nutrient absorption by bypassing a portion of the small intestine and creating a tiny pouch-like stomach.
- Sleeve gastrectomy: A sleeve-shaped stomach that limits food intake is left behind after a significant section of the stomach is removed during a sleeve gastrectomy.
- Adjustable Gastric Banding: This technique restricts the amount of food consumed by wrapping a band around the upper part of the stomach to form a small pouch known as an Adjustable Gastric Banding or lap band.
Most patients experience a loss of between 50% and 70% of their excess weight within a year or two of bariatric surgery. However, this varies from patient to patient, depending on factors such as metabolism, lifestyle changes, and the surgery performed. After one year, weight loss tends to slow down; therefore, continuing healthy practices and annual check-ups are critical for long-term success.
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and, in some cases, medical care or bariatric surgery can all help manage obesity, which can be a lifelong condition. Although it cannot be totally "cured," durability depends on making these adjustments to avoid weight gain and improve overall health.
Yes, bariatric surgery is available at many reputable hospitals throughout Singapore, performed by physicians who are experts in weight-loss methods, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.