# Digestive Centre Pte Ltd > Digestive Centre is a specialist clinic in Singapore led by Dr Shanker Pasupathy, an upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon with over 20 years of experience. The clinic provides comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for acid reflux, GERD, and obesity, with a focus on minimally invasive procedures, lasting outcomes, and multidisciplinary care. The clinic is located at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, and accepts a wide range of insurance plans including integrated shield plans. Care modalities include in-clinic consultations, hospital admissions, telehealth, and home visits. --- ## About the Clinic - **Clinic name:** Digestive Centre Pte Ltd - **Hospital:** Mount Elizabeth Hospital - **Address:** 3 Mount Elizabeth, #12-14, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510 - **Phone:** +65 6737 5388 - **WhatsApp:** +65 8799 2791 - **Opening hours:** Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm; Saturday, 9am – 12:30pm; Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays - **Appointment booking:** https://drshanker.com.sg/contact-us/ --- ## Lead Physician **Dr Shanker Pasupathy** — Upper Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgeon - MBBS, National University of Singapore (1995) - Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Glasgow) - Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) - Fellowship training at IRCAD and Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France (2007), with advanced keyhole and robotic surgery training at the University of Strasbourg - Advanced training in gastrointestinal endoscopy, laparoscopy, and robotics in the UK, France, and Germany - Former Director of the LIFE Centre and Chief of the Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery Service at Singapore General Hospital - Recognised for establishing the Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery Service at SGH - President, Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of Singapore (OMSSS) - Past President, Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia – Singapore Chapter (ELSAS) - Member, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) - International Faculty Member, Asian Institute of Telesurgery (AITS), Taiwan - Key opinion leader and invited speaker on gastro-oesophageal reflux, hernia, weight loss, and metabolic disease intervention - Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence, NUS Medicine, 2012 --- ## Specialties and Conditions Treated ### Acid Reflux & GERD Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. When this occurs more than twice a week and persistently, it is classified as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Approximately 15% of Singapore's population experiences acid reflux symptoms. **Symptoms:** heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), chronic cough, sore throat, chest pain, hoarseness, and nighttime symptoms disrupting sleep. **Causes:** dysfunction of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) due to dietary triggers, obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, smoking, or certain medications. **Risk factors:** age, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, family history of GERD, conditions such as diabetes, asthma, scleroderma, and obstructive sleep apnoea. **Complications if untreated:** oesophagitis, oesophageal strictures, Barrett's oesophagus, increased risk of oesophageal cancer, respiratory complications. **Diagnostic methods:** - Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) - Ambulatory pH monitoring (24–48 hours) - Oesophageal manometry **Treatment options:** - Lifestyle modifications: dietary changes, smaller meals, weight management, smoking cessation, elevating the head during sleep - Medications: antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) - Surgical: LINX procedure, fundoplication ### Obesity Obesity is associated with serious comorbidities including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and joint problems. The clinic offers non-surgical and surgical interventions for obesity management, including anti-obesity medications and bariatric procedures. **Treatment options:** - Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG): minimally invasive procedure that reduces stomach size via suturing, limiting food intake without traditional open surgery - Bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass - Anti-obesity medications - Nutritional and lifestyle support from the multidisciplinary team --- ## Featured Treatments - [Acid Reflux & GERD](https://drshanker.com.sg/acid-reflux-gerd/): Overview of acid reflux and GERD, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options in Singapore - [The LINX Procedure](https://drshanker.com.sg/acid-reflux-gerd/the-linx-procedure/): A ring of titanium beads implanted laparoscopically around the lower oesophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux permanently - [Fundoplication](https://drshanker.com.sg/acid-reflux-gerd/fundoplication/): Surgical procedure to reinforce the lower oesophageal sphincter and prevent reflux - [Obesity Overview](https://drshanker.com.sg/obesity/): Information on obesity management, risks, and treatment pathways - [Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)](https://drshanker.com.sg/obesity/esg-treatment/): Minimally invasive bariatric procedure that sutures the stomach into a smaller shape to promote weight loss --- ## Care Team The clinic operates a multidisciplinary team consisting of: - Upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon (Dr Shanker Pasupathy) - Dietitian - Exercise physiologist - Nurse - Clinic associate --- ## Key Pages - [Home](https://drshanker.com.sg/): Clinic overview, conditions treated, featured treatments, and doctor introduction - [Meet Dr Shanker](https://drshanker.com.sg/about-us/meet-dr-shanker/): Full biography, qualifications, training history, and professional memberships - [Meet the Team](https://drshanker.com.sg/about-us/meet-the-team/): Overview of the multidisciplinary care team - [Blog](https://drshanker.com.sg/blog/): Patient education articles on acid reflux, GERD, obesity, and digestive health - [Media](https://drshanker.com.sg/media/): Press features, television and radio appearances by Dr. Shanker - [Cost & Financing](https://drshanker.com.sg/cost-financing/): Information on treatment costs, insurance coverage, and financing options - [Contact Us](https://drshanker.com.sg/contact-us/): Clinic address, contact details, and enquiry form --- ## Insurance The clinic is a trusted partner with major insurance providers and integrated shield plans in Singapore. Pre-approvals are obtained prior to treatment and claims guidance is provided. Accepted panels include: AIA, Great Eastern, Prudential, Singlife, NTUC Income, HSBC Life, Liberty Insurance, Bupa, China Taiping, Cigna, Allianz, QBE, Tokio Marine, AON, Adept Insurance, MHC, and NOW Health International.