Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital has served patients for more than 120 years, growing from a small hospital founded in 1904 into one of the largest tertiary general hospitals in China. Today it is affiliated with a leading university school of medicine and also acts as a teaching hospital for other respected universities. It runs two campuses with more than 2,300 beds, welcomes millions of outpatient visits every year and discharges close to 150,000 inpatients annually. Six of its fields have been named national key clinical specialties, including endocrinology, orthopaedics, sports medicine and emergency medicine. Behind these numbers is a simple idea: every patient deserves care that is safe, well organised and grounded in the best available science. For people seeking help with weight and metabolic health, the hospital offers a rare combination of surgical skill, deep knowledge of diabetes and a long tradition of academic excellence.
From 1904 to a Modern Academic Medical Centre
Few hospitals in the country can look back on a history as long as this one. Over twelve decades, the hospital has adapted to new needs, new technologies and new expectations from patients. It has built a reputation for pioneering work in several fields, and many of its specialists are known nationally for their contributions to research and clinical practice. The hospital's specialised institutes for diabetes research, limb microsurgery and ultrasound medicine show how it links daily care with long-term scientific progress.
This long experience brings real advantages to patients:
• Care teams that have treated a very wide range of conditions, from routine to highly complex
• Established protocols that have been refined and tested over many years
• A strong teaching culture in which senior doctors supervise and guide younger colleagues
• Close collaboration between departments that allows patients with several health problems to be managed as one person, not as separate diagnoses
The hospital's mission is to combine clinical medicine with innovative science in order to address unmet healthcare needs. That mission is visible in the way teams question established habits, compare their results with international standards and adopt better methods when the evidence supports them.
The hospital's values can be summed up in three words that staff use often: responsibility, precision and compassion. Responsibility means owning every result and learning from every case. Precision means careful planning, careful technique and careful follow-up. Compassion means remembering that behind every medical record is a person with hopes, worries and a family waiting for good news. These values guide recruitment, training and the daily routines of every ward and clinic.
Metabolic Medicine and Surgery Working as One Team
Severe obesity rarely comes alone. It is often linked with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, joint pain, sleep apnoea and emotional strain. The hospital's metabolic and weight-loss programme was built on this understanding. Surgeons work side by side with endocrinologists, dietitians, anaesthetists, psychologists and specialist nurses, so each patient is assessed from every relevant angle before any decision is made.
The endocrinology and diabetes service is one of the hospital's national key specialties, with its own research institute. This gives the weight-loss programme a strong scientific foundation. Blood sugar control, hormone balance, nutrition and long-term metabolic risks are all considered when planning care, and patients receive honest advice about what they can realistically expect.
A typical care journey includes:
• A full medical assessment with laboratory tests and imaging
• Nutritional counselling and guidance on eating habits before and after surgery
• Screening for conditions that might increase risk, such as heart or lung problems
• Psychological support to help patients prepare for lasting lifestyle change
• Clear written information and time to ask questions before giving consent
This team approach helps patients feel supported, reduces avoidable complications and improves the chance of long-term success. It also means that people who are not suitable for surgery still receive practical advice and a clear alternative plan.
Precision, Minimally Invasive Technique and Continuous Innovation
The hospital invests steadily in modern operating rooms, advanced imaging and minimally invasive equipment. Surgical teams use high-definition laparoscopic systems and carefully standardised workflows that support accuracy and safety. Where appropriate, they have developed approaches that reduce the number and size of incisions, helping patients recover more comfortably and with less visible scarring.
Innovation at the hospital is always balanced with caution. New methods are introduced step by step, reviewed by senior specialists and monitored closely. Outcomes are tracked over time and shared through research publications, which keeps the team accountable and helps improve care for future patients.
Key strengths in this area include:
• Experienced anaesthesia and intensive care teams trained to support patients with a high body mass index
• Equipment and beds designed for the safety and dignity of larger patients
• Enhanced recovery pathways that encourage early movement and a shorter hospital stay
• Long-term follow-up programmes that measure weight, metabolic markers and quality of life
Because the hospital also treats heart, lung, liver and joint conditions at a high level, patients benefit from specialist input whenever their health requires it, without needing to travel to another centre.
Training is another pillar of quality. Surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists take part in regular skills sessions, case reviews and national and international conferences. The hospital also trains doctors from other regions of the country, and the need to teach clearly encourages the whole team to keep its own standards high. Patients benefit from this culture of learning every time they walk through the door, because the people caring for them are expected to stay current and to share what they know.
Respect, Clarity and Dignity at Every Visit
People living with obesity often face judgement, even in healthcare settings. The hospital's teams are trained to offer care that is respectful, private and free of blame. Staff take time to listen, to explain findings in plain language and to involve patients in every decision. Families are welcomed as partners, especially during the recovery period at home.
The hospital's approach to patient experience rests on a few clear principles:
• Every patient is treated as an individual with personal goals and concerns
• Information is shared openly, including the benefits, risks and limits of each option
• Privacy and dignity are protected throughout the hospital stay
• Follow-up care is planned before discharge, so no one leaves without a clear next step
Online booking, digital records and remote consultations make it easier for patients to keep in touch with their care team. Nurses and dietitians remain available after surgery to answer questions about eating, activity and medicines, helping patients through the most demanding early months.
Long-term success depends on steady habits, and the team recognises that change can be hard. Patients are encouraged to celebrate small improvements, such as better sleep, easier walking or lower medicine needs, and not only the number on the scale. Support groups and educational sessions give patients a chance to learn from others who have faced similar challenges. When setbacks happen, the team responds with practical help rather than criticism, adjusting plans so that each person can keep moving forward with confidence and a clear sense of direction.
Support for Patients Travelling From Abroad
The hospital has an international cooperation office and an international medical care service that help foreign patients and visitors. English-speaking staff can assist with appointment planning, document preparation, explanations of test results and communication with specialists. The team understands that travelling for surgery can feel overwhelming, and they aim to make each step as simple as possible.
International patients can expect:
• Help planning their visit, including the timing of assessments and recovery
• Support with communication throughout their hospital stay
• Clear discharge instructions written in a way they can share with doctors at home
• Guidance on remote follow-up and long-term monitoring after returning to their own country
Good transport links and parking make the main campus easy to reach, while wireless access helps patients and families stay connected during their stay.
Choosing where to receive care for obesity and metabolic disease is an important decision. Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital offers patients a trusted combination of history, scientific depth, modern technology and genuine respect for each person's journey. Its teams are committed to helping patients not only lose weight, but also regain health, energy and confidence for the years ahead. For anyone looking for a well-established, academically led centre in China, the hospital stands out as a careful and dependable partner in long-term health.
