Keeping Weight Loss Safe: Our Insights in the Recent CNA Big Read Feature

At Amber Family Clinic, we believe that healthcare should always be rooted in safety, education, and patient well-being. Recently, our very own founder, Dr. Wong Siu Kwan, was invited to share her clinical insights in a featured CNA Big Read article: "Life-changing medicine or beauty hack? How Ozempic came to be seen as both, and why that’s risky." The article tackles the massive global and local surge in demand for GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro). As public awareness grows, these medications are frequently discussed on social media—sometimes being mischaracterized as quick "beauty hacks" rather than the powerful, clinical prescription tools they actually are.

The Reality Behind the GLP-1 Boom

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the number of patients using semaglutide injections in Singapore jumped from 1,500 in 2023 to about 6,400 in 2025. While these medications have truly been a clinical breakthrough for managing Type 2 diabetes and chronic obesity, the rise in popularity has also brought an influx of healthy or near-healthy individuals seeking the drug solely for aesthetic reasons.

In the feature, Dr. Wong Siu Kwan highlighted a crucial trend we observe right here in our clinic: even individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) well within the healthy or normal range are seeking out these medications to shed a few kilograms.

"Asian populations tend to develop obesity-related metabolic complications—including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease—at lower BMI levels than Western populations."

While clinical thresholds are adjusted lower for Asian health profiles to protect patients with genuine metabolic risks, using these medications purely as a shortcut for aesthetic weight loss without meeting medical criteria can carry unnecessary risks.

Why Medical Supervision Matters

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking natural hormones to slow stomach emptying and signal fullness to the brain. Because they profoundly alter metabolic and digestive functions, they are strictly prescription-only for a reason.

When you consult with us at Amber Family Clinic, our priority is ensuring that any weight management plan is safe, sustainable, and tailored to your unique biology. A proper medical assessment involves evaluating your:

• Full health history and metabolic profile

• True BMI and body composition

• Existing underlying conditions (such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or pre-diabetes)

Medications vs. Bariatric Surgery: Navigating Your Options

​Historically, individuals facing severe chronic obesity had limited long-term options outside of lifestyle modifications and bariatric surgery (such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass).

​As highlighted in the CNA feature, the rise of GLP-1 medications has bridged a massive gap for patients who require clinical intervention but are not candidates for—or prefer to avoid—surgical procedures.

​At Amber Family Clinic, we help patients evaluate the entire spectrum of weight management. Whether you are exploring medical therapy, require a primary care referral and health optimization before bariatric surgery, or need long-term medical monitoring following a surgical procedure, our focus is entirely on your long-term safety and health outcomes.

Our Commitment to Your Health

We are incredibly proud to contribute to the national conversation on public health and safe weight management. We want to thank Channel NewsAsia (CNA) for shining a light on this important topic and helping to educate our community.

If you have questions about weight management, metabolic health, or want to know if you genuinely qualify for medical weight-loss support, we are here to help guide you safely.

👉 Read the full CNA Big Read article here to learn more about the complexities of GLP-1 medications.

👉 Learn more about obesity at our educational website Obesity SG.