Lapband Surgery Dr. Baladas

Dr H.G. Baladas is a bariatric and general surgeon practising at The Surgery Centre, 01-01, Raffles Hospital, 585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770. The practice specialises in laparoscopic (minimally invasive) bariatric surgery, with particular expertise in the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System — a well-established weight loss surgical procedure that restricts stomach capacity to reduce food intake and promote sustained weight loss.

Dr Baladas was one of the early adopters of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, developing specialist expertise in a procedure that offers the advantage of adjustability — the band's restriction can be tightened or loosened as required during follow-up visits, allowing the rate of weight loss to be optimised individually for each patient.

The practice is based at Raffles Hospital, Singapore's largest private hospital, on North Bridge Road near Bugis. Raffles Hospital is a JCI-accredited tertiary private hospital equipped with comprehensive surgical, intensive care, and specialist support services, providing a high-standard environment for bariatric surgical procedures and perioperative care.

Bariatric surgery at Dr Baladas's practice is aimed at patients with significant obesity who have not achieved sustained weight loss through non-surgical means. The LAP-BAND procedure and other bariatric techniques are considered for patients with a body mass index (BMI) typically above 30–35 kg/m² with obesity-related health conditions, or above 37.5 kg/m² without co-morbidities, in line with Singapore's clinical practice guidelines for bariatric surgery eligibility.

Dr Baladas's practice focuses on laparoscopic bariatric surgery and metabolic surgery for obese patients, with the LAP-BAND System as the signature procedure.

LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding is the core procedure offered. The LAP-BAND is a silicone band placed laparoscopically around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small gastric pouch above the band. Adjustments to the band's tightness are made post-operatively via a subcutaneous port under the skin, allowing the degree of restriction to be personalised over time. The LAP-BAND system is the only adjustable, reversible bariatric procedure, making it appealing for patients who prefer a more conservative surgical approach.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy involves surgical removal of approximately 75-80% of the stomach, creating a sleeve-shaped stomach that restricts food intake and reduces hunger hormone (ghrelin) production. The procedure is non-reversible but delivers substantial weight loss in appropriate candidates.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is also available, combining restriction and malabsorption to produce greater weight loss, particularly beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Pre-operative assessment includes multidisciplinary evaluation involving dietary assessment, psychological evaluation, anaesthetic review, and medical optimisation of obesity-related conditions (diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea). Post-operative follow-up with dietary guidance and band adjustment (for LAP-BAND) is an integral component of the service.

Dr Baladas practises at The Surgery Centre, 01-01, Raffles Hospital, 585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770. Raffles Hospital is a JCI-accredited 380-bed private tertiary hospital offering comprehensive specialist and surgical services. The hospital's surgical facilities include modern operating theatres with high-definition laparoscopic equipment, appropriate for the minimally invasive approaches used in bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic bariatric procedures at Raffles Hospital benefit from specialised high-definition camera systems, articulated laparoscopic instruments, and advanced energy devices used for precise minimally invasive surgery. The hospital provides dedicated bariatric equipment including reinforced operating tables, specialised retraction systems, and equipment appropriately sized for the obese patient population.

Raffles Hospital's intensive care unit and high-dependency unit are available for post-operative monitoring where required. The hospital pharmacy, dietetics department, and allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy) support the comprehensive perioperative management of bariatric patients.

Post-operative LAP-BAND adjustments are performed in an outpatient setting at the clinic using fluoroscopy guidance to verify correct band placement and adjust the band fill volume through the subcutaneous port.

Dr Baladas's bariatric surgery practice at Raffles Hospital welcomes international patients from Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other countries who travel to Singapore for weight loss surgery. Raffles Hospital itself has a dedicated International Patient Services team that facilitates all aspects of the international patient journey from initial enquiry to post-discharge follow-up.

For international patients considering bariatric surgery, the pre-operative workup must be completed in Singapore before the procedure. This typically requires a stay of approximately one week for pre-operative assessment, the surgical procedure, and initial post-operative recovery. The discharge timeline depends on the procedure performed and individual recovery.

Post-operative follow-up for LAP-BAND patients includes regular band adjustment visits, which international patients can attend on return visits to Singapore or may be managed via telemedicine guidance supplemented by local physician monitoring. Long-term dietary and lifestyle follow-up is essential for bariatric surgery success and patients are connected with appropriate resources in their home countries.

Raffles Hospital's international patient services provide assistance with appointment coordination, accommodation recommendations, interpretation services, and insurance documentation. The hospital and Dr Baladas's practice communicate in English as the primary language, with additional language support available through Raffles Hospital's interpreter services.

Dr H.G. Baladas is a surgeon registered with the Singapore Medical Council, qualified to perform general and bariatric surgery in Singapore. The Surgery Centre at Raffles Hospital is part of a JCI-accredited hospital environment — Raffles Hospital has held Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation since December 2008, the gold standard for international hospital quality and patient safety.

Bariatric procedures at Raffles Hospital comply with Singapore's clinical practice guidelines for bariatric and metabolic surgery as published by the Ministry of Health Singapore. Patient selection, pre-operative assessment, and post-operative follow-up protocols adhere to evidence-based standards for bariatric surgery outcomes.

The LAP-BAND device used in adjustable gastric banding procedures is cleared by international regulatory bodies including the US FDA and Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The use of HSA-cleared devices confirms that the equipment meets Singapore's standards for medical device safety and efficacy.

Raffles Hospital's accreditation credentials — JCI, Trauma Hospital Certification (2018), and Singapore Quality Class — provide the institutional quality framework within which Dr Baladas's surgical practice operates.