Danbury Hospital - Center for Weight Loss Surgery Bariatric Center
I first met Dr. Neil Floch when I attended a weight loss seminar. Working in a Dr.'s office myself I figured doing these seminars was probably not on his list of favorites. But it never showed, his presentation was terrific, although frightening with all the obesity statistics. His office staff called me the very next day to get the ball rolling. I wasn't quite sure Lapband was for me though and asked the woman calling if I could wait. She was very calm and didn't try to persuade me at all. She simply wanted to get started processing my insurance so I would know if I was even covered for this procedure as I made my decision. A few weeks later I had my consultation with Dr. Floch. I had filled out a very detailed history, and we went over it together. He told me about all the risks. He answered all my questions. He conveyed warmth and confidence. He told me all about the care that would be required afterwards for optimum results. He explained that the band was not magic, and that it would require a lot of work from me too. I went home and got started on all my pre op testing. A few weeks later after all my testing I started to get cold feet. I met with him again to discuss some concerns I had and he addressed them all without trying to convince me. He talked to me again about the survey I had filled out and his impression when he first met me. I knew he was right, and that I was just feeling scared, but that this was truly something I wanted. He said we could certainly wait, and didn't want me to feel like I would be letting anyone down if I wasn't truly ready. I left the office and began my pre op diet. 2 weeks later I saw him again on surgery day. He came in, met my husband, reassured him, reassured me and off we went to the OR. I had a few problems afterwards, and ended up staying another night, but he was in touch with my nurses and visited me daily. I really have nothing negative to report. When I call his office I am always taken seriously, and every effort is made to accomodate me. They reassure me that what I am feeling is normal, or have had me come in if I was feeling uncertain about anything. I've never felt like I was bothering them in the least. Everyone in the office is supportive and wants to see you succeed. Dr. Neil Floch has done both of my fills himself, and found the port with no porblems at all.
Dr. Neil Floch put me at ease the first moment I met him at the seminar he held at the Hospital. He also gave me hope. I developed type-2 Diabetes as I got heavier over the years and felt awful with the medication \"cocktail\" I was on.rnIn attending the seminar, I felt like Dr. Floch and his office could provide me with the necessary tools I needed to fight this battle in my life, on my own I couldn't do it. The numbers were overwhelming.rnDr. Floch impressed me with his positive and caring manner. I also like that he was very cautious and looked at everything in my medical history. The office staff is all wonderful and everyone is positive and nurturing. Aftercare is strongly stressed. The risks of the surgery were never swept under the carpet but i felt the risk of not doing this and living with diabetes and the side effects of the medications was greater. I couldn't give Dr. Floch and his office a high enough rating. They are an exceptional team that operatives with the highest integrity and professionalism. I am so happy that they came into my life at this time. Now it's up to me to eat right, exercise and attend the support groups.rn
I met Dr. Floch when he removed my gall bladder two years ago. It was an emergency--I only met him for the first time in the hospital. And while we were talking, a commercial for St. Vincent's Hospital came on the television in my room. He looked at it and mentioned that he was doing weight loss surgeries there. I was embarrassed; whenever life conversations turn to weight, I'm embarrassed. And here I was, naked under a paper gown. So I quipped, \"I've been hearing a lot about that. Big business, huh?\"rnrnHe was quiet for a minute, and then said, \"You know, I have to take issue with that. Weight loss surgery has literally changed people's lives.\" rnrnAll I could think was, \"Great. I've pissed off the guy who's about to do my surgery.\" But his earnestness impressed me. We all make a living--but how many of us change people's lives with what we do? rnrnThe gall bladder surgery was a breeze. Recovery was a breeze. I'm going back, with an apology.
Dr. Zuccala, and his team of surgeons, were wonderful.... I went to the hospital knowing everything that would happen and when, I was beyond prepared..Danbury Weightloss Center was the best program for me. I am 5 days post op and feeling better by the minute.
I first saw Dr. Zuccala on a billboard on the highway advertising Danbury Hospital's weight loss surgery department and it's reputation. I saw him next at the information seminar given to perspective WLS patients and he was just wonderful. He came across as very genuine and very caring. As time has gone on my impression of him has not changed merely been enhanced as I see how well he works with his staff and other healthcare team members to get the best possible pre-op work ups and information to safeguard his patients. The entire staff in the bariatric surgery department are bar none some of the very best people I have ever worked with in the medical field. All calls are returned promptly and with all questions answered as soon as is physically possible. Any future patients should know that Dr. Zuccala and straff are in my opinion an excellent resource and I feel very confident in referring them without hesitation. There is a HUGE emphasis on aftercare, what is required and above all this is a TOOL and we are encouraged to be good stewards of these new bodies...all appointments post-op are to be kept and new life changes to be instituted to stay healthy. Dr. Zuccala was very frank about what can happen as far as surgery risks and possible complications as well as how to avoid them when possible. Overall I would rate Dr. Zuccala as an excellent clinician and not only a very professional and knowledgable man but someone who is doing this because his heart is in it. rn
My First impression of Dr. Zuccala was this man is going to cut me open. I think the first words out of his mouth is that he only performs the lap surgery for patients with BMI<50. That is higher now though. The office staff is absolutely fabulous. They all always knew where I was everystep of the way. This group of people probably gave me the most support I got right up until the last few weeks of surgery. They even came to see me in the CCU on day 2. In my eyes Dr. Zuccala is very conservative surgeon and that put me at peace with the surgery and I was sure to tell my family that. This man would make decisions based on what was best FOR ME! After care is part of the procedure, there is a support meeting at Danbury Hospital every 3rd Wednesday of the month and you must attend at least one before your surgery. I love going to them. rnrnI would like to thank Dr. Zuccala and his AWESOME office staff again. I am totally amazed at them every time I see them. They are the nicest, kindess, most caring people I have ever met in an office of any kind. They make me feel so good about myself and everybody who comes through their doors. I will take Danbury Hospital and this staff and put them up against anybody in this Country!!!rn
Dr. Neil Floch and his office staff, along with the staff at Norwalk Hospital, have made this experience much more pleasant and simple than I ever expected it could be.rnrnI was well-educated both pre-op and post-op. I know I am only at the beginning of my journey, but I am so very grateful to Dr. Floch and everyone who is with me for the ride. rnrnThanks to all involved, I feel hopeful about life and my future for the first time in a very long time. rnrn
Spent a lot of time talking with me and helping me with my decision for lap-band vrs rny.rnFelt very at ease.rnEveryone in the office is great and worked really hard to get my approval and I really appreciate it.
Dr. Floch was wonderful from the moment I met him at the informational seminar. He makes you feel at ease and gives you the feeling that he will be there to support you every step of the way. My initial consultation with him and then my pre-op consultation only further solidified my opinion of him. By the time I had my surgery, I was so confident that I was placing my health and my life (literally) in the best possible hands. He is an incredible surgeon and a fantastic human being!rnrnOne thing I really appreciate about Dr. Floch is that he made it clear from the beginning that WLS is just a tool, but that I will have to work and make life changes. He has emphasized throughout the whole process the need to be consistent with follow-up and the importance of the support group, which I fully intend to take advantage of.rnrnI don't feel like I was just another source of income, but that I am a person that is cared about. I will succeed because I want to, but my success will come easier because of the support and encouragement of Dr. Floch and his team!rnrnI think that the only thing I could say as an area that needs improvement is when it comes to the office staff's handling of paperwork. Although this was only my experience, and others may have had a different experience, I found myself having to chase down paperwork from other health care providers (test results, letters of recommendation, etc.) that I knew had already been sent. It seems like many test results just disappeared. There is only one woman in the office, that I know of, who handles all of this, so I think that might have something to do with it. I was determined though, so I stayed on top of everything and kept the process moving. I can honestly say that this did not ruin my experience at all!