Medical Weight Management Programme

Medical weight management at Punggol and Joo Chiat

A structured 6-month programme with Dr Kenneth Tan, Family Medicine Specialist, for adults who want to lose weight safely and keep it off. The programme runs by appointment at both our clinics, in booked longer slots rather than walk-in visits, so that each visit has the time it needs.

We treat excess weight as a medical issue that is connected to blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, fatty liver, sleep and heart health. The programme looks for what is driving your weight, sets realistic targets, and supports you month by month. See our Medical Weight Management guide for the clinical background.

Two ways through the programme

Most people at a BMI of 23 to 27.4 start on the lifestyle track. At that level, lifestyle change is the recommended first step, and weight-loss medication is not usually needed unless your assessment finds a related condition. You can move between tracks during the programme if your results or circumstances change.

Who this programme is for

You may be a good fit if you:

• Have a BMI of 23 to 27.4, the overweight range under the Asian thresholds used in Singapore, and want a structured, doctor-led plan
• Have a BMI of 27.5 or above, the Asian obesity threshold
• Have weight-related conditions such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver (MASLD), sleep apnoea or polycystic ovary syndrome
• Have tried lifestyle change on your own without reaching your target
• Are already on a weight medication and want structured, medically supervised care rather than one-off prescribing

The programme is not suited to:

• Adults with eating disorders, which are specialist-managed; we can refer
• People at a healthy weight seeking weight loss for cosmetic reasons only
• Patients who are pregnant, planning pregnancy soon, or breastfeeding
• Children and adolescents; the programme is for adults aged 18 and above, and we can refer for paediatric care

We confirm fit at your first assessment visit. If the programme is not the right option for you, we will say so directly and discuss alternatives.

What the programme includes

The programme is built on the components that consistently make weight management work in international guidelines and trials:

• A root-cause assessment. We look for what is driving your weight and what it is doing to your health: blood sugar, cholesterol, liver, thyroid, sleep, mood, menopause, and medicines that cause weight gain.
• A written nutrition plan built around how you actually eat in Singapore, including hawker food and eating out, with a realistic energy deficit and enough protein.
• A physical activity prescription, starting where you are, building towards 150 minutes or more of activity a week, with strength training to protect muscle. We check that exercise is safe for you before you start.
• Habit and behaviour support: simple self-monitoring of your weight and food, two or three goals at a time, and a plan for setbacks.
• Measurement beyond the scale: weight, waist and blood pressure at every visit, and blood tests at the start and at 6 months to show changes in blood sugar, cholesterol and liver health.
• Regular contact with the same doctor, with a messaging channel between visits.
• Medication, only where medically appropriate, prescribed, dispensed and adjusted in the same clinic.

What happens at each stage

Before your first visit

You complete a short intake form about your weight history, eating pattern, activity, sleep and goals, and bring any recent blood test results and your medication list. This means your visit time is spent on you, not on paperwork.

Assessment visit 1: your story (30 minutes)

• Your weight history, previous attempts and what has worked before
• Your current eating pattern, activity, sleep, stress and mood
• Examination: weight, height, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure
• Blood tests ordered if you have no recent results; typically blood sugar (HbA1c), cholesterol, liver and thyroid tests, with others only if needed

Assessment visit 2: your plan (30 minutes, one to two weeks later)

• Your results explained, including your metabolic risk
• A realistic target agreed together; a 5 to 10% reduction over the first 6 months is a healthy first goal
• Your written plan: nutrition, activity, self-monitoring and your two or three starting goals
• Whether medication is appropriate for you, and if so its benefits, side effects and cost
• Your follow-up visits booked

Monthly reviews (20 minutes), five over the programme

• Weight, waist and blood pressure tracking
• A review of what is working and what is not, and adjustment of your plan
• For the medication-supported track: dose adjustment and side-effect management

Between visits

• A WhatsApp channel for programme patients, for progress updates and questions, answered within one business day
• Same-day walk-in at Punggol for urgent problems; call 995 or go to the nearest emergency department for emergencies
• An optional weigh-in at the clinic between visits, at no charge

Six-month review (30 minutes)

Blood tests repeated, progress reviewed against your goals, and a decision on the next phase: maintenance, continued active treatment, a change of track, or referral if needed. You receive an updated written plan.

After six months

Follow-up every 3 to 6 months at the standard consultation rate (schedule of fees), or closer follow-up if you prefer. Keeping weight off is the hardest part, so we plan for it rather than stopping at six months.

What it costs

Programme visits are priced as below, at whichever clinic you attend. You pay as you go, per visit.

• No lock-in. There is no upfront package and no commitment. You pay for each visit as you go, and you can stop at any time.
• Blood tests are not included in the visit fees. We tell you which tests you need and their cost before ordering them, and we use recent results you already have. If you are enrolled with us under Healthier SG, some screening tests may be subsidised.
• Medication costs apply only on the medication-supported track. Medications are dispensed at the clinic and billed separately, and we quote the current price before you start and whenever your dose changes. Current prices are displayed at the dispensing counter as required by the Ministry of Health.

Programme visit rates apply within the Medical Weight Management Programme. Standalone consultations follow the clinic’s standard schedule of fees.

Subsidies

• MediSave is not claimable for weight-indicated consultations or medications. It may be claimable where you also have diabetes and the treatment is jointly for diabetes; we discuss this at the visit.
• CHAS subsidies are not generally available for weight-indicated services.
• Private insurance: some corporate schemes and specific plans cover weight management; bring your policy details and we can advise.

How to enrol

1. Book your first assessment visit at Joo Chiat or Punggol, online using the buttons below or by phone.
2. Complete the intake form we send you, and gather any recent blood test results and your medication list.
3. Attend your two assessment visits, one to two weeks apart, to build your plan.
4. Start your plan, with your monthly reviews booked and the WhatsApp channel activated.

Joo Chiat or Punggol?

Both clinics offer these appointments with Dr Kenneth Tan.

• Joo Chiat runs by appointment only, so your time is reserved. Booking online collects the $180 first-visit fee in advance.
• Punggol also sees walk-in patients. Booked appointments are fitted around them, and on very busy days we may not be able to give a longer visit its full time and may need to reschedule. Afternoons from 3pm to 6pm are usually quieter.

What this programme is, and is not

• Not a one-off prescription visit. Six months of planned reviews, with support in between.
• Not an aesthetic weight-loss clinic. Weight is treated as a medical issue within a family medicine practice. No before-and-after photography, no transformation marketing, no supplement stacks.
• Not a meal-replacement or supplement programme. We do not sell meal replacements or supplements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join the programme without taking weight-loss medication? Yes. The lifestyle track is designed for exactly this, and for most people who are overweight rather than obese it is the recommended starting point. Medication is only considered if it becomes medically appropriate, and only with your agreement.

How much weight can I expect to lose? A 5 to 10% reduction over the first 6 months is a realistic and healthy first goal. For someone weighing 70 kg, that is about 3.5 to 7 kg. Larger goals are usually reached over 12 months. With medication, typical reductions are larger. Individual results vary, and no honest doctor guarantees weight loss.

Do I get diet and exercise guidance? Yes. It is the core of both tracks. You receive a written plan for nutrition and physical activity, built around your routine and local food, and it is reviewed and adjusted at every visit. If you would like dedicated sessions with a dietitian as well, we can refer you; those are charged separately by the dietitian.

How often do I see the doctor? Eight visits over six months: two assessment visits a week or two apart, five monthly reviews, and a six-month review, all with Dr Kenneth Tan. You can message us between visits.

Is there any commitment? No. You pay per visit and can stop at any time.

Are blood tests included? No. They are charged separately, and we tell you the cost before ordering. We use your recent results where possible, and some screening tests may be subsidised for patients enrolled with us under Healthier SG.

Can I do this as a walk-in? No. Programme visits are booked in advance so that each one has the time it needs. Your other health needs continue to be looked after at the same clinic, including walk-ins.

What if I am on medication and it does not suit me? We adjust the dose, try a different medicine, or switch tracks. The programme lets us work through this together rather than stop after one difficult week.

Do I have to stay on medication forever? Not necessarily. Many people who stop weight medication regain some of the weight over the following year, because the underlying biology reverts. Some maintain their loss through lasting lifestyle change; others continue on a lower maintenance dose. We discuss the options at six months.

I am already on treatment elsewhere. Can I transfer? Yes. Bring your records and we will do a full assessment at your first visits. There is no obligation to transfer your other care.

Get in touch

Joo Chiat (by appointment): 172 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427443 · Tel 6920 1952

Punggol (by appointment; walk-ins for other care): 658 Punggol East, #01-04, Singapore 820658 · Tel 6312 4589

Email: admin@ktmc.sg