"Thank you Dr. Neil, for giving me the 'tools"'
to lose the weight and the courage and the
confidence to be me."

- Carmel

After several months of researching weight loss
surgeries and reading about the kind that was
being offered at Fairfield County Bariatrics, I chose
to attend a seminar at Norwalk hospital in January
2009 which further solidified my decision to move
forward with the surgery on July 6th, 2009. I chose
Dr. Neil Floch because during the seminar he made

me feel comfortable with
the answers he provided
to my questions. I
couldn't be happier with
my decision to have him
as my surgeon. I love
him, and his staff is well
trained in this field. Since
my surgery I have
referred many of my

friends to Dr. Floch. Several have gone on to
have surgery, or are taking the final steps
towards it.

Before surgery my life wasn't like it is today. I suffered from sleep apnea, high
blood pressure and a laundry list of others issues. I wasn't motivated, and at
the time I felt I wasn't being a good mom to my son; who is very active.
Friends would ask me to go out to places with them and I would decline
because I wasn't comfortable in my own skin. When it came to taking photos,
I would stand in the back and hide myself. I didn't want anyone to capture the
true me.

My son was going to begin Pre-K in the fall of 2009 and I was afraid that I was
going to be judged by other parents for being so morbidly obese. As the school
year began the weight started to come off and I was able to be active with my
son. I have built beautiful friendships with the parents of my son's classmates
which has only made me stronger with my new confidence.

My life today is so different than when I began this journey in 2009. I can run
with my son and play all of the sports with him. Saturdays begin with karate,
soccer and hockey, and somehow we always find ourselves at a birthday party
for a classmate, or on a play date later on in the day. I don't have to sit on the
sidelines or hide from the other parents. I lead the cheering section at the
games. I can shop in regular stores and feel comfortable with looking in the
mirror. For the first time in many years I am wearing skirts again. I always hid
behind pants and long tops. Now I go out with my friends for those "girls night
out" and I am the first one to be in the photos with family and friends.

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