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Prof Brian Goh Kim Poh — General Surgeon in Singapore

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Prof Brian Goh Kim Poh is a Head & Senior Consultant in the Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary and Transplant Surgery at Singapore General Hospital. Areas of clinical focus include hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) & transplant surgery (robotic/minimally invasive).

Clinical focus

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) & transplant surgery (robotic/minimally invasive).

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS, MRCSEd, MSc, MMed, FRCSEd, FAMS

Where they practise

Brian Goh Kim Poh practises at Singapore General Hospital, in the Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary and Transplant Surgery. See the official profile linked below for current clinic and appointment details.

About General Surgery

General surgery treats a wide range of conditions of the abdomen and beyond — commonly gallstones, hernias, appendicitis, and diseases of the stomach, bowel, thyroid, and skin and soft tissue. Many general surgeons sub-specialise, for example in hepatopancreatobiliary (liver, pancreas and bile-duct) surgery, upper-gastrointestinal and bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, endocrine (thyroid and parathyroid) surgery, or hernia and abdominal-wall repair. Operations are increasingly done by minimally invasive (keyhole) or robotic techniques, which can mean smaller wounds and a quicker recovery. General surgeons also manage many acute surgical emergencies.

Conditions and treatments commonly covered

Areas commonly seen in general surgery include:

  • Gallstones and gallbladder disease
  • Hernias (inguinal, umbilical, incisional)
  • Appendicitis
  • Thyroid and parathyroid conditions
  • Stomach and bowel conditions
  • Lumps, cysts and skin/soft-tissue lesions

What to expect at a consultation

An initial consultation usually involves a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, a focused examination, and any tests needed to reach a diagnosis. The specialist will explain the findings, walk you through your options — including non-surgical approaches where relevant — and set out the likely costs and next steps before anything proceeds. If a procedure is recommended, it is reasonable to ask what it involves, the expected recovery time, the risks and the alternatives, so you can make an informed decision at your own pace. It helps to keep asking questions until you fully understand the plan.

Preparing for your appointment

  • Bring referral letters, past reports, scan images and a list of your current medications.
  • Note your main symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
  • Write down the questions that matter most to you, and bring a family member if it helps.

After your consultation and follow-up

Depending on the diagnosis, you may be given medication, referred for further tests or imaging, scheduled for a procedure, or asked to return for review. Ask what warning signs should prompt earlier contact, how to get your results, and who to reach if you have questions between visits. Keeping your own copy of reports makes future care and any second opinion easier.

Costs, subsidies and financing in Singapore

For subsidised care at a public (restructured) hospital, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is generally needed; private specialists can usually be booked directly at full fees. Ask upfront for an estimate covering the consultation, tests and any procedure. Depending on the treatment, you may be able to use MediSave for approved day-surgery and procedures (within set limits), with MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan helping for larger inpatient bills. Purely cosmetic procedures are not claimable. If cost is a concern, it is worth asking whether a subsidised referral is possible, and comparing written estimates between providers before you commit.

How to choose the right general surgeon in Singapore

Beyond credentials, it helps to match the specialist to your specific problem. Consider whether their sub-specialty fits your condition, how often they manage or operate on cases like yours, which hospital they admit to (and whether it suits your budget and insurance), and how clearly they explain your options and costs. Accreditation can be confirmed on the Register of Specialists and registration on the Singapore Medical Council register. Independent reviews are a useful signal for communication and experience, but weigh them alongside credentials rather than on their own.

Questions worth asking at your first consultation

  • Are you an accredited specialist in the area my condition falls under?
  • What are my options, including non-surgical or watch-and-wait approaches?
  • How often do you treat or perform this, and what are the typical outcomes and risks?
  • What is the full estimated cost, and what can I claim through MediSave or insurance?
  • Are you comfortable with me seeking a second opinion?

Verifying credentials

In Singapore every practising doctor must be registered with the Singapore Medical Council, and specialists are additionally listed on the Register of Specialists maintained by the Specialist Accreditation Board — you can search both to confirm a doctor’s registration and field. The letters after a name (such as MRCP, FRCS or FAMS) reflect postgraduate training and fellowships, but the key question is simply whether the doctor is an accredited specialist in the area relevant to your care.

When to consider a second opinion

A second opinion is reasonable before major surgery, for a serious or unclear diagnosis, or when a recommended treatment feels aggressive or uncertain. Good specialists welcome it. Bring your reports and scans so the second doctor can assess the same information. You are entitled to a copy of your medical records to take along, and seeking another view will not offend a good specialist.

Common questions

When should I see a general surgeon?

When a GP finds a condition that may need an operation — such as gallstones, a hernia, a thyroid lump, or a bowel or abdominal problem — or for assessment of a lump.

Can surgery be done by keyhole?

Many general-surgery operations are done laparoscopically (keyhole) or robotically, which often means smaller wounds, less pain and a quicker recovery.

Is my operation claimable?

Medically indicated surgery is often claimable through MediSave, MediShield Life or insurance; confirm the specifics and get a cost estimate beforehand.

Do I need a referral to see this specialist?

For subsidised care at a public hospital you generally need a GP or polyclinic referral; private specialists can usually be seen directly.

How can I verify a doctor’s credentials?

Check the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and the Register of Specialists for accredited specialists.

Selected research & publications

Brian Goh Kim Poh has contributed to peer-reviewed research in general surgery. A selection of published work:

Related guides

Sources & verification

Profile details are summarised from the doctor’s official listing (official profile). Registration can be verified on the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and specialist accreditation on the Register of Specialists.

General information only, not medical advice. Details may change — confirm current clinic, availability and fees with the provider.

See also: our editorial directory of general surgeons in Singapore.

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