Medical Weight Management

A comprehensive medical weight management programme including metabolic assessment, personalised treatment planning and ongoing monitoring. Options include GLP-1 medications, appetite suppressants, lipase inhibitors and dietary counselling, tailored to each patient's metabolic profile and lifestyle.

Medical weight management at Dr Tan Medical Center takes a root-cause, clinically led approach that extends beyond prescribing weight loss medication in isolation. Dr Tan Kok Kuan and the team work to understand each patient's individual drivers of weight gain — whether hormonal, metabolic, behavioural, or a combination — and build a treatment plan that addresses underlying physiology while supporting sustainable lifestyle change. The programme begins with a thorough medical consultation covering the patient's full weight history, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, stress levels and any medications that may contribute to weight gain (for example, antidepressants, corticosteroids or antipsychotics). A metabolic blood panel is ordered to characterise insulin resistance (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR), thyroid function (since hypothyroidism is a common and treatable cause of weight gain), liver health, lipid profile and, for men over 35, testosterone — because low testosterone is both a cause and consequence of excess visceral adiposity, and addressing it can significantly improve body composition outcomes alongside a weight management programme. The clinic offers several pharmacological options depending on the patient's clinical profile and goals. Incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists: semaglutide or liraglutide) are the most effective medications currently available and form the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with significant excess weight. Appetite suppressants reduce hunger cues and support portion control for patients whose primary challenge is caloric overconsumption. Lipase inhibitors (such as orlistat) reduce fat absorption and work best in combination with a reduced-fat diet; they are a suitable option for patients in whom GLP-1 therapy is contraindicated or not preferred. Combination approaches may be used where clinically appropriate. Monitoring is built into the programme from the outset: weight and waist circumference are tracked at each follow-up, metabolic blood tests are repeated at three months, and treatment is adjusted based on response and tolerability. The clinic also provides nutrition guidance and physical activity planning tailored to the patient's circumstances, recognising that pharmacotherapy achieves the best outcomes when combined with sustainable behavioural change. The clinic's Novena Medical Centre location provides easy access via the Novena MRT station, and its weekday hours until 6:30 pm make it accessible to working patients.