Danbury Hospital - Center for Weight Loss Surgery Bariatric Center

I first met Dr. Erhlich at the seminar they held on 2/17. I was very impressed. When I called to make an appointment with him, I was informed that his associate Dr. Neil Floch was the surgeon who accepted Blue Cross, so I made my appointment with Dr. Floch. I have to say, I was not disappointed! Dr. Floch was more than I could every expect. He was very patient with all my questions, and also took the time to explain everything fully. I would recommend him and his staff to anyone!

I though he was awesome from the second I met him. He has a wonderful sense of humor but also on the flip side takes his job very seriously. I have the utmost respect for him and refer anyone who asks about the surgery to him.

He is very, very serious about the after care and tells you that it is not a walk in the park and if you want to achieve your goals you will have to work hard to reach them. He advised me completely of all risks and possible complications (which thank God I have had none)and the support group that his team heads up is amazing..

I feel that his bedside manner ans surgical competence are both awesome.

I owe my new life to him..

Well, my first impression of Dr. Floch was completely unoriginal. I didn't expect him to be so young. All of my other doctor's are much older. I was impressed with him and Dr. Ehrlich after attending an informational seminar. They were both very personable and took as much time as was needed to try and answer any questions that people had.
At my first appointment, I was struck by how great all of the office staff are. Throughout the entire process, they've been really nice and have always responded to my questions promptly.
The aftercare program has been absolutely wonderful as well. I love the structure of the support groups they hold once a month. The psychologist or the nutritionist I saw before the surgery have been present at the two meetings I've been to so far which is nice. It's also great that the doctors and Danielle, the PA, make themselves available at them. I actually wish they had more of them.
Overall, this has been a positive experience for me and I know it has been that way because of the doctors and their staff.

I was impressed with Dr. Zuccala from the beginning. His staff is very nice.

I found him to be pleasant and informative
his office staff is very professional, it took way to long to get in to see him, having to attend the support group meetings was very helpful. I liked least the length of time to get the initial visit, the need to be on a strict diet prior to having the surgery (seems like you should get a break prior to surgery but no way). Mostly the length of time it takes to get a date once you make a decision.

1st impression was that he might be a great surgeon, but as a businessman, the office was way behind in getting to see people.

Now that I have had my surgery, I have had not one single complication, no nausea, no vomiting, no intolerance of foods, NOTHING. That has to be a positive recommendation for his skills!

On the follow up visits, he is always setting time aside for any questions, no matter how silly they might sound, he takes them all seriously.

He is both encouraging and realistic. My life is my own again and I have Dr. Z to thank!!

This group is awesome! I first met Dr. Elrich on my initial consult, he was very kind and understanding about my weight issues. My next visit was with Dr. Floch and he was just as nice! I knew I had chosen the right group for my lap band surgery. Also, the staff is great, they were all so helpful and helping me get insurance approval.

I had an uneventful surgery with Dr. Floch on 9/16. I'm so happy with the results so far. I would highly recommend Dr. Floch's group for your weight loss surgery. I'm from Lisbon, CT which is about two hours from Norwalk. I don't complain at all about the drive because they are such an awesome group that it was worth the drive! If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to e-mail me!

My first impression of Dr. Zuccala was extremely positive! Over time, I realized that not only is he a tremendously skilled surgeon but that he is a compassionate man who truly cares about the whole person and his or her family. Dr. Zuccala's office staff could not be nicer to or more willing to accomodate patients. Phone calls are returned and even taken! If I had to say what I liked least about Dr. Zuccala, it would have to be the number of people who are training with him and come in the examining room. Although I always say yes, sometimes it gets a bit crowded and I feel like a "science project".
Future patients should be aware that this practice is growing by leaps and bounds and that they may have more time delays in their journey through the process of medical clearance and insurance approval. The other thing they should know is that Dr. Zuccala has a fantastic support group and he is very involved as are his nurse and office staff. He emphasizes that aftercare is just as important as the pre-surgery appointments and he makes sure that potential patients are aware of that before he does the surgery. Dr. Z has an excellent team of specialists that include a nutritionist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, pulmonologist. Every specialist that I have seen has been "on the same page" as Dr. Zuccala and it is obvious that they work in tandem.
Dr. Z addresses the risks of surgery quite clearly, patiently, and without confusion. I would rate him an outstanding surgeon and a rare one who happens to have a delightfully, supportive bedside manner.

My first Consult was with Dr. Tran (Bridgeport, CT) August 2002
My first impression was that he seemed kind of young. But, I suppose that's cause I'm getting older.

He seemed very knowledgeable and drew diagrams for me as we spoke about the surgery. He was very respectful and made sure that he answered all my questions.
His office staff was very courteous and helpful. I filled out forms there and spoke with his secretary several times.

Dr. Tran is a Trauma Surgeon trying to get a new program started at the Bridgeport Hospital. Even though he does not have a program up and running yet he does have an aftercare group set up and ready to go. He does insist on attending support group meetings after surgery.

He addressed the risks of surgery, as with any surgery there are risks. I personally am willing to take the risks to get out of this vicious cycle of weight loss/weight gain.


3/27/03

I want to make sure that everyone realizes that this is my personal experience with Dr Tran's office, I'm sure someone must have had an easier time with them. I'm just disappointed that all this time has been wasted while waiting for him to get started.

I am currently looking for another surgeon. I met with Dr. Tran Aug of Last year and was told that the program for Bpt Hosp. had not yet been approved, but that it was due to be approved in a month or two. I called regularly about every month and a half to check on the progress. I was told In Sept. that it would be Oct or Nov. In Nov. I was Told Dec or Jan. finally I called back in the beginning of March and was told that the program had indeed started and the first surgeries were done. I asked why I wasn't contacted as I was told I would be one of the first 10 or so to have this surgery done in this program.
They had no records of mine (lost?), I faxed all my information and had to leave the State on a family emergency. Upon returning about a week and a half later I called to find out the status of my surgery and was told they never received my records. I went out and purchased a fax machine for my home, refaxed all the paperwork and called to make sure they got the information. Finally, they had it! I spoke to Dr. Tran on the phone who told me that I had to meet with the nutritionist again kind of like starting from square one again and then another first meeting with him before the surgery could be scheduled.
To make a very long story short, I followed up and waited for return calls. I feel sorry for the receptionist. No one returns calls so I'm sure she gets all the irate calls from patients wondering why they are not being contacted. Finally, I have decided I am not satisfied with the treatment that I have received so far, and am questioning the capability of the program and their ability to provide the care necessary. Maybe once they get a little better organized, at this time I feel the program is too new, especially with all the lost records and un-returned phone calls. How would it be post-op???

I am not giving up on WLS, I am just going to look into other Doctors with programs that work more smoothly, that would give me the confidence to believe that they will be professional and competent surgically as well as compassionate with the follow up care.
Everything in life happens for a reason, I'm certain I'll find the right surgeon and program for me.

April 2003
I have switched to Floch Surgical Assoc. of Norwalk, CT.

I went to a seminar held by FSA at Norwalk Hospital April 8th at 7pm. This was very informative and a great setting for meeting the surgeons as well as previous patients. I didn't talk, just listened very carefully. I was impressed with both the surgeons that were there, Dr. Neil Floch and Dr. Tim Erlich. The presentation was very informative and professional as were the handouts. Most of my questions were answered when other people in attendance asked their questions. There were several previous patients in attendance who were very helpful in answering questions. You could tell they were all very pleased with their surgery, their choice of Doctors and the changes that were taking place in their lives.

My appointment to meet with Dr. Floch & Dr. Ehrlich was scheduled for April 9th. After the seminar I was totally ready for the appointment. I met with Dr. Erlich and Dr. Floch, both are very willing to answer any and all questions about the surgery as well as anything else you might like to ask. Both are very personable and easy to talk to. They relate easily to the problems of overweight people who have been through all the weight loss/gain cycles in their life and are looking for a solution to the problem.
I am so excited to have met the people at Floch Surgical Associates. I feel like this can be the beginning of my "New" life. I look forward to finishing all the testing and getting on with the rest of it.Getting the Insurance approval, setting a date and finally having the surgery.
I know that no one is perfect, but so far I have nothing negative to say.
Oh I guess if I have to... their office is in a building with several other Doctors and the parking is less than desirable. :::sigh:::
If that's the only problem then there are no problems!
Thank you! Dr. Erlich & Dr. Floch for caring so much.

First impression, young, second impression very good, very caring. Dr. Floch's staff is excellent, his office is about 45 minutes from my home but it was worth the drive to be treated so well. Office is nice, easy parking.
I was very nervous about taking such a drastic step but I can't say enough about Dr. Floch. He explained all the aspects of the work up, surgery and aftercare. His support staff (physiologist, nutritionist) are all very good and very helpful, both before and after surgery. He did spell out very plainly the pros and cons of this procedure.
At three weeks post surgery, I feel great and I would do it again in a heart beat. Dr. Floch is definitely a 10. He is supportive, more than competent and very caring.