Upper GI & Bariatric Surgery

Upper GI & Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a procedure performed on people with obesity to help them to lose weight. Also specialized in upper GI surgery services.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery

This is a surgical specialty under the scope of general surgery that focuses on the diagnoses and treatment of all conditions relating to the upper GI tract. This includes the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The upper GI tract is responsible for digesting food and preparing it for processing and absorption of nutrients throughout the body. Disrupted function will affect nutrition absorption and hence leads to malnutrition.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure designed to help individuals with obesity achieve significant and sustained weight loss. Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to assess obesity. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), obesity is defined as having a BMI above 27.5. The MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend bariatric surgery only for patients with Class III obesity (BMI ≥37.5), or Class II obesity (BMI 32.5–37.4) accompanied by at least one obesity-related comorbidity. Bariatric surgery is not routinely recommended for individuals with Class I obesity or lower (BMI < 32.5), regardless of comorbidities.

The surgery works by modifying the digestive system to reduce calorie intake and/or limit calorie absorption. Obesity is recognised as a chronic disease, as it shortens life expectancy and negatively affects normal body functions. It is also strongly associated with an increased risk of numerous health conditions, including:

• Increased risk of death from all causes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Kidney disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Fatty liver disease
• Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety

This surgery is reserved for patients with severe obesity who have not achieved adequate weight loss through other methods such as exercise, medical nutrition therapy, lifestyle modification, or counselling. Candidates must also be committed to making lifelong changes to their diet and lifestyle to maintain long-term weight loss. It should not be viewed as a shortcut to weight loss; rather, it is often a necessary and life-saving treatment due to the high risk of serious complications.

Most bariatric procedures in Pantai Hospital Ipoh are performed under general anaesthesia using laparoscopic (minimally invasive) techniques, which offer smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

List of Conditions

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including heartburn and acid reflux
2. Hiatal hernia - protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm
3. Morbid obesity
4. Oesophageal strictures
5. Barrett’s oesophagus
6. Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)
7. Peptic ulcer such as stomach (gastric) ulcer and duodenal ulcer
8. Cancers such as stomach cancer, oesophageal cancer and gastric cancer
9. Benign tumour
10. Achalasia and dysphagia

List of Diagnostic Tests

During an appointment with your upper GI surgeons, you may be consulted and examined to further understand your conditions and if necessary, further diagnostic tests for deeper examination may be ordered for you before devising your individual treatment and management plan. Some diagnostic tests you may be put under include:

• Upper GI series (e.g., fluoroscopy)
• Ultrasounds
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) scans
• Barium enema followed by x-ray imaging
• Upper GI endoscopy (OGDS)

At Pantai Hospital Ipoh, our upper GI surgeons employ advanced surgical techniques in their practices to restore your upper gastrointestinal functions to optimal condition.

List of Procedures

1. Nissen fundoplication - also known as anti-reflux surgery
1. Minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat GERD by wrapping part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus to prevent acid reflux.
2. Gastrectomy - surgical removal of all or part of the stomach, often performed for gastric cancers or severe gastric conditions
3. Hiatal hernia surgery - laparoscopic procedure to repair simple and complex hiatal hernias
4. Esophagectomy - surgical removal of part or all the oesophagus, often performed for oesophageal cancers or other conditions requiring tissue removal.
5. Small bowel resection - removal of part of the small intestine to treat cancer, GIST or intestinal blockages.
6. Gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) - restrictive surgery that removes about 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a gastric sleeve.
7. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) – another method of bariatric surgery by re-routing food digestion and nutrition absorption.
8. Intragastric balloon (IGB) - non-surgical alternative in which an inflatable balloon is endoscopically inserted into the stomach

Why choose Pantai Hospital Ipoh?

Upper GI and bariatric surgeon work closely with with dietitians, endocrinologists, and medical specialists to provide holistic, patient-centred care from pre-operative assessment and counselling to long-term follow-up and nutritional support. With a focus on safety, minimally invasive techniques, and enhanced recovery protocols, the Upper GI & Bariatric Department in Pantai Hospital Ipoh is committed to improving digestive health and supporting long-term weight management for better overall wellbeing.

List of Doctor:

• Rajkumar