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Lim Khong Hee

Dr Lim Khong Hee

Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric & General Surgeon

MBBS (Singapore), M.Med (Surgery), FRCS (Edin), FRCSEd (Gen), FAMS (Surgery)

Education & Fellowship

Dr. Lim graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1992. He started his surgical training after his National Service. He completed his specialty training in General Surgery in 2003 having obtained the qualifications of FRCS (Edin),  M.Med (Surgery) and FRCSEd (Gen) along the way.

He was admitted as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, in 2004.

Clinical Fellowship – Princess Alexandra Hospital

Upper Gastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Surgery

Brisbane, Australia, 2002

Qualifications

  • MBBS 1992 National University of Singapore
  • Master of Medicine(Surgery) 1998
  • Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 1998
  • Joint FRCSE (Surgery)/FAMS Exit Examination in General Surgery 2003
Dr Lim Khong Hee
laparoscopic surgery

Research and Publications

  1. K.H.Lim, J. Thomas, W. Brown, J. Harvey, B.H. Burmeister, E. Walpole, D. Thomson, I. Martin, D. Gotley and B.M. Smithers. A comparison of treatment outcome between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. ANZ Journal of Surgery 2003; 73(s): A63. (Abstract)

  2. W.A. Brown, J. Thomas, D. Gotley, B. Burmeister, K.H. Lim, I. Martin, E. Walpole, D. Thomson, J.A. Harvey and B.M. Smithers. Use of oesophagogastroscopy to assess the response of oesophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy. British Journal of Surgery 2004 Feb; 91(2):199-204.

  3. W.A. Brown, J. Thomas, D. Gotley, K.H. Lim, I. Martin and B.M. Smithers. The role of surgery in the management of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. ANZ Journal of Surgery 2003; 73 (s): A63. (Abstract)

  4. KS Png, J Rao, KH Lim and KH Chia. Lap-Band Causing Left Gastric Artery Erosion Presenting with Torrential Hemorrhage. Obes Surg. 2008 Aug;18(8):1050-2.

  5. Kow AW, Chan SP, Earnest A, Chan CY, Lim K, Chong SY, Lim KH, Ho CK, Chew SP, Liau KH. Striving for a better operative outcome: 101 Pancreaticoduodenectomies. HPB (Oxford). 2008;10(6):464-71.

  6. Das De S, Kow AW, Liau KH, Lim KH, Ho CK.Novel approach to laparoscopic resection of tumours of the distal pancreas. ANZ J Surg. 2009 Apr;79(4):288-93.

  7. Chong Poh Kuan; Lee Huiyin; Zhou Jianbiao; Liu Shaw-Cheng; Loh Marie Chiew Shia; Wang Ting Ting; Chan Siew Pang; Smoot Duane T; Ashktorab Hassan; So Jimmy Bok Yan; Lim Khong Hee; Yeoh Khay Guan; Lim Yoon Pin. ITIH3 is a potential biomarker for early detection of gastric cancer. Journal of proteome research 2010;9(7):3671-9.

  8. KK Tan, TJL Quek, N Wong, KW Li, KH Lim Emergency surgery for perforated gastric malignancy: An institution’s experience and review of the literature. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Vol 2, No 1, March 2011:13-18

Accolades and Achievements

  • FY98 HMDP Fellowship for the Final Master of Medicine (Surgery)
    FY2001/02 Fellowship of the Health Manpower Development
  • Programme in Upper Gastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Surgery (Ministry of Health)
  • Excellent Service Award (Silver) 2005
  • Excellent Service Award (Gold) 2006

Professional Profile

Prior to establishing his private practice, Dr. Lim was the Chief of the Upper Gastrointestinal Service and Senior Consultant in the Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital. During his tenure as the Director of the Centre for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Dr. Lim encouraged the development of complex laparoscopic skills and techniques as well as organised basic, advanced and masterclass laparoscopic courses.

Dr. Lim performs upper gastrointestinal and advanced laparoscopic procedures such as radical gastric resections with systematic lymphadenectomy, laparoscopic fundoplication, and laparoscopic surgery for severe obesity. He is competent in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Dr. Lim is actively involved in the teaching of medical students. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and an Examiner in the Final Professional Examination for the Degrees of M.B.B.S. He has been an invited Speaker and Chairpersons for numerous local and regional meetings. He is also a member of the Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA), the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of Singapore (OMSSS).

Nexus Surgical Q&A: A Conversation with Dr. Lim Khong Hee

A career in surgery has been incredibly rewarding for Dr. Lim, who has dedicated years of practice to treating oesophageal and stomach cancer patients, as well as patients with abdominal pain, digestive problems and hernia. Dr. Lim reveals his inspirations and shares why he continues to enjoy his work daily.
Surgery is a unique part of medicine that enables me to play an active and direct role in treatment. Whenever I repair injured tissues or remove a tumour or diseased organ, I get to see a patient’s life significantly improve and that is enormously satisfying. The surgical profession is also one that requires us to manage the unexpected, and that is when we have to rely on our intuition, prior knowledge and experience in responding to the challenge.

The medical field is constantly evolving with new and innovative methods. For instance, minimally invasive approaches and techniques have proven valuable in improving surgical interventions and patient care. However, there were also times when we had to adapt to less-than-ideal circumstances.

I remember a time when I had to perform surgery in a less developed country. It was certainly challenging for the surgical team as the equipment and instruments were not what we were used to. Yet, it was important that we step out of our comfort zone and make do with locally available materials. By improvising and adapting to the situation, we were able to carry out the operation smoothly and safely.

I believe in creating a collaborative and empowering environment so that patients would feel equipped and supported throughout our shared decision-making process. With each consultation, I would evaluate a patient’s symptoms, medical history as well as any co-existent medical problems before discussing the possible treatment options. It is important to me to listen to my patients’ anxieties and concerns as that gives them the opportunity to clarify their treatment goals and preferences. I also journey with my patients throughout their recovery process by engaging them and offering practical advice. For example, small lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes can go a long way in post-surgical recovery.
Since young, I have been fascinated by how the body works, and how the different systems in a body interact with and complement one another. I also enjoy finding solutions to complex problems as the exploration keeps me curious, and it is also fulfilling to simplify and share those insights for the benefit of others. Medicine is a calling from God that allows me to combine these passions and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I recall a time when one of my patients whom I had operated on for severe obesity lost a significant amount of weight. He returned with a big smile to thank me for the procedure as he was now able to climb stairs without breathlessness or knee pain! Such heartening moments continue to spur me on in making a difference in the lives and well-being of my patients.
My wife has made our family a loving home. My daughter, who is studying in NUS (FASS), introduces me to art and literature. With my son, who is in National Service, we motivate and challenge each other to be our best selves. I enjoy watching Netflix and Disney+ with my family, and travelling with them. In my free time, I also read or listen to a good audiobook, go for a jog, or incorporate a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.

Nexus Surgical Q&A: A Conversation with Dr. Lim Khong Hee

A career in surgery has been incredibly rewarding for Dr. Lim, who has dedicated years of practice to treating oesophageal and stomach cancer patients, as well as patients with abdominal pain, digestive problems and hernia. Dr. Lim reveals his inspirations and shares why he continues to enjoy his work daily.

1. As a surgeon, what makes your job most fulfilling?

Surgery is a unique part of medicine that enables me to play an active and direct role in treatment. Whenever I repair injured tissues or remove a tumour or diseased organ, I get to see a patient’s life significantly improve and that is enormously satisfying. The surgical profession is also one that requires us to manage the unexpected, and that is when we have to rely on our intuition, prior knowledge and experience in responding to the challenge.

2. What has been your most memorable moment?

The medical field is constantly evolving with new and innovative methods. For instance, minimally invasive approaches and techniques have proven valuable in improving surgical interventions and patient care. However, there were also times when we had to adapt to less-than-ideal circumstances.

I remember a time when I had to perform surgery in a less developed country. It was certainly challenging for the surgical team as the equipment and instruments were not what we were used to. Yet, it was important that we step out of our comfort zone and make do with locally available materials. By improvising and adapting to the situation, we were able to carry out the operation smoothly and safely.

3. What is your philosophy on patient care?

I believe in creating a collaborative and empowering environment so that patients would feel equipped and supported throughout our shared decision-making process. With each consultation, I would evaluate a patient’s symptoms, medical history as well as any co-existent medical problems before discussing the possible treatment options. It is important to me to listen to my patients’ anxieties and concerns as that gives them the opportunity to clarify their treatment goals and preferences. I also journey with my patients throughout their recovery process by engaging them and offering practical advice. For example, small lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes can go a long way in post-surgical recovery.

4. What inspired you to start a career in medicine?

Since young, I have been fascinated by how the body works, and how the different systems in a body interact with and complement one another. I also enjoy finding solutions to complex problems as the exploration keeps me curious, and it is also fulfilling to simplify and share those insights for the benefit of others. Medicine is a calling from God that allows me to combine these passions and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I recall a time when one of my patients whom I had operated on for severe obesity lost a significant amount of weight. He returned with a big smile to thank me for the procedure as he was now able to climb stairs without breathlessness or knee pain! Such heartening moments continue to spur me on in making a difference in the lives and well-being of my patients.

5. How do you spend time with your family and unwind in your free time?

My wife has made our family a loving home. My daughter, who is studying in NUS (FASS), introduces me to art and literature. With my son, who is in National Service, we motivate and challenge each other to be our best selves. I enjoy watching Netflix and Disney+ with my family, and travelling with them. In my free time, I also read or listen to a good audiobook, go for a jog, or incorporate a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.

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