Singapore - Woman spends $40k on slimming treatments but loses only 1kg

SINGAPORE - A 47-year-old woman, only identified as Ms Wong, told Shin Min Daily News that she spent $40,000 on a three-month weight loss program, but only managed to lose one kilogram in the end.

Now she is demanding that the clinic terminate the weight loss program and refund her the money.

Ms Wong, a social worker, told the Chinese daily that she signed up for a weight loss program at a Hougang weight loss clinic but saw no significant results.

“My weight was originally 72.3kg, and became 70.7kg after the three-month program, only dropping around 1kg," she said.

Ms Wong also complained that some of the employees at the weight loss clinic were inexperienced and unprofessional.

“They used clingwrap to bundle me into a “mummy”, and reqested me to “hop over” to another room for treatment. One employee still joked that she could carry me over if I couldn’t move. She was really unprofessional!" Ms Wong claimed.

In the end, she said she had to slowly move herself to the other room, causing her immense embarrassment.

Losing weight the healthy way

Ms Wong stated that she has since decided to lose weight the healthy way through exercising.

“Now I will cycle four to five hours daily and visit the gym. I hope to lose weight the healthy way,” she told the paper.

Ms Wong also claimed that the treatment, carried out by inexperienced employees lacking in skills, caused her a bruised knee at one point.

"They did not bandage me properly during one of the processes, and a few days later my knee was bruised and aching,” she said.

Ms Wong initially hoped the clinic would assign more professional employees to carry out the treatment on her, but they continued to use inexperienced employees.

“Now I only want to get my money back, and stop the program,” she lamented.

Clinic: We gave Ms Wong $200

In response to media queries, the weight loss clinic said that its protocol is that employees accompany the customer throughout the process, so as to ensure their comfort.

The clinic added they gave Ms Wong $200 after she complained of bruises from being bandaged.

“This $200 was not a medical reimbursement. It was given because we consider customers our first priority and want to retain their confidence,” a spokesperson for the clinic said.

Moreover, the clinic denied requesting Ms Wong to “hop over” to another room after being bandaged.

They said employees were present throughout the process, and were ready to escort and help her to the other room to continue treatment and ensure her comfort.

YourHealth, AsiaOne