By: Kheng-Liang Tan
After seeing a commercial for an $18 weight loss trial in 2013, a then 82 year-old woman eventually went on to sign up for more than $400,000 in packages from London Weight Management.
According to Madam Gan Siew Hong, she first went to the Ngee Ann City branch in July 2013 and asked for a medical assessment as she has diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems and water retention in her legs.
However, a therapist told her that it was suitable for her and she signed up for a $10,914 eight-month package during the trial. Six days later, she paid an additional $66,768 for a two-year package.
Two days later, an additional $321,000 was paid for a six-year package after Madam Gan was allegedly made to believe that she needed two years before she could see progress.
However, Madam Gan had alleged that the treatments had resulted in diarrhoea from having “detox drinks” sold to her by the clinic , a skin rash and pus discharge from ginger masks to reduce swelling in her legs.
She has stopped the treatment in June 2014 and is now making an application to the high court, seeking for a full refund and an additional $450,000 in compensation.
In its defence, London Weight Management said that Madam Gan only told the centre that she had diabetes and failed to disclose other medical problems and therefore it is not liable for the injuries she had sustained.
In addition, the centre said that the effectiveness of its treatments would also depend on a balanced diet and regular exercise. They were willing to refund her $43,408.15 for the unused packages as a goodwill measure.