With obesity and metabolic syndrome reaching alarming levels in Malaysia, clinicians are looking beyond conventional approaches to expand the bariatric toolbox. Among the emerging options, intragastric balloons (IGBs) are gaining momentum as a minimally invasive, endoscopic solution to support the initial step in weight loss alongside lifestyle change. At the recent “Intragastric Balloon” workshop hosted by the Department of Surgery, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) UKM in Kuala Lumpur, leading experts in bariatric innovation shared their perspectives on advancing IGB therapy in clinical practice. 

In an interview with Professor Tan, Guang-Ming emphasized the value of adopting a localized CKM health framework—one that prioritizes early detection, fosters multidisciplinary collaboration, and drives systemic reforms to enhance patient outcomes and transforms the healthcare landscape.

Obesity has traditionally been viewed as a risk factor for other conditions and the concept of obesity as a standalone disease remains a subject of debate. In a landmark 2025 publication, the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission redefined obesity through a clinical lens—shifting away from body mass index (BMI)-based assessments and introducing a diagnostic framework that recognizes clinical obesity as a chronic, systemic illness when specific clinical criteria are met. Growing evidence shows that excess adiposity, independent of other obesity-related diseases, can directly and adversely affect the organ function and overall health of an individual, leading to the typical clinical manifestations of illness. To address the gap in current clinical characterization, the Commission defines clinical obesity as a chronic, systemic disease characterized by functional impairments in tissues, organs, or the individual, directly caused by excess adiposity. The redefinition aims to provide a more medically meaningful framework to guide diagnosis, inform clinical decisions, and shape healthcare policies.

Hyperkalemia, defined as serum potassium >5.0mmol/L, is a potentially lethal condition as it hinders muscle function and myocardial excitability, which may contribute to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths. Epidemiological data suggests the global prevalence of hyperkalemia is around 6.3%, but the