OUR TEAM

We have assembled a team of experts that specialize in Bariatric procedures including our surgeons, physician assistants, medical assistants, nutritionists, insurance coordinators and office staff members.

Dr. Neil Floch and Dr. Craig Floch have developed a team of experts that have designed a comprehensive and multi-dimensional weight loss program which addresses all aspects of the patient’s life. We believe that postoperative nutritional and psychological support and exercise are essential elements to the success of our bariatric program. Counseling in these areas contribute to our patients’ success in achieving and maintaining their goals. They are provided with monthly support groups for psychological, nutritional and exercise counseling. Preoperative and postoperative nutritional assistance is provided by registered dieticians, specializing in helping obese patients achieve their desired weight loss results and optimal health.

Maureen Kelly, PA-C

Maureen Kelly is the Physician Assistant for Fairfield County Bariatrics & Surgical Speclialists, P.C. Maureen began her studies at the University at Buffalo in Amherst, NY where she majored in Biology. She continued and completed her degree at Daemen College in Amherst, NY, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Allied Health, Physician Assistant Program.

After graduating she worked in both a physician office setting and a hospital setting. She focused on primary care for the majority of her career, most recently working with a primary care practice in Branford, Connecticut. She brings with her an extensive knowledge and experience that is a great benefit to our practice and our patients. At her former practice, she worked with patients with chronic medical problems such as diabetes and hypertension. This background brings an additional component and benefit to the care she will offer our patients. She manages and works with our patients on their weight loss issues and goals and views their comprehensive medical history and overall treatment plan. If a patient has a chronic medical issue, such as diabetes or hypertension, in addition to their weight issue, she understands and addresses the whole picture. Her practical exposure to a wide range of medical issues is a great resource for our physicians and patients as well.

Maureen works closely with our patients to help them to achieve their goals and succeed with their weight loss journey. She is an integral part of Fairfield County Bariatrics & Surgical Specialists, P.C.

Maureen is a key component of our comprehensive team of health care professionals.

LYNN HOLMBERG, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
Registered Dietitian

Lynn Holmberg is a Registered Dietitian specializing in Bariatric Surgeries. She has extensive experience in both pre- and post-op counseling for those patients undergoing the Gastric Bypass and LAP-BAND® procedures. In addition to individual counseling, Lynn provides nutrition support groups for all patients within the bariatric practice. She is licensed within the state of Connecticut and is an active member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the Connecticut Dietetic Association (CDA). Lynn holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Marymount College and a Master’s degree from New York University.

ANNE GAETANO, CCMHC, NCCC

Anne Gaetano is licensed in the state of CT for counseling. She is also a certified clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC) and national certified counselor (NCC). Her education also includes a Bachelor Degree in Psychology (with a minor in Art) and a Master of Science degree in Community Agency Counseling. She has been working in the mental health and addictions field for over 13 years. She is a member of American Mental Health Counselors Association and currently provides group and individual counseling.

Mrs. Gaetano leads a post-operative support group for bariatric patients. This group is directed towards patients who are in their first year after bariatric surgery. There is a transitional period between 6 months and a year in which patients can make the decision to leave the group if they feel they are ready and change over to Mary Ziller's 6 Months And Up Group. They have the opportunity to remain in both groups for the 6 month transitional period if they choose to do so. The groups are therapeutic in nature and Anne Gaetano takes on a cognitive behavioral approach. All patients are given the opportunity to voice their obstacles or progress in relation to their post- operative bariatric journey. The focus is on providing a caring environment, supporting each other toward a smooth transition, making positive change, and giving feedback in relation to your own experiences.

MARY P. ZILLER,
Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist
and Life Skill Coach

Mary P. Ziller is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Life Skill Coach specializing in treating specific anxiety, compulsive and addictive disorders.

Ms. Ziller is invested in working with Eating Disorders and morbidly obese clients, having successfully maintained an 80-pound weight loss for over 18 years. She fully understands the dynamics that come into play with emotional eating, body image issues and anxiety levels. Ms. Ziller is a dynamic presentation speaker having conducted many workshops the past 15 years on mindfulness stress reduction training, brain neurobiology/ addictions, anxiety management, emotional eating/negative body image, value clarification, dating/coaching skills and support groups for post-op bariatric patients.

Mary Ziller conducts seminars that are open to all post-operative bariatric patients who are at different stages of their weight loss journey. She inspires thought-provoking sessions to keep bariatric patients on track with the physical and emotional changes that occur. The purpose of the group is for patients to learn how to effectively utilize their chosen bariatric surgery for continued weight loss and eventual maintenance and to achieve peace and emotional clarity regarding eating patterns and body image issues.

TAMARA SWETT, RD, CD-N

Tamara Swett RD, CD-N is a registered dietitian and has been an Out-Patient Dietitian at Norwalk Hospital since June of 2006. She received her first degree in Community Health at Western Connecticut State University and then followed her passion for nutrition by continuing her education at Saint Joseph's College where she received her degree in Nutrition. Tamara Swett is also involved in the childhood and adult weight loss programs offered by Norwalk Hospital. Ms. Swett provides nutrition counseling for individuals preparing for weight loss surgery.

She runs one of the bariatric support groups at Norwalk Hospital, which is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Various topics are covered during the support group sessions that are related to staying on your meal plan after surgery, including getting enough protein and fluid, coping strategies, recipe exchanges and discussions on the importance of specialized bariatric supplements to long term health, including brain and nerve function.

NANCY MURPHY, MS, RD, CDE, CD-N

Nancy Murphy’s M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from N.Y.U. was followed by more than ten years of clinical and research experience at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan. As an obesity research nutritionist at St. Luke’s and Lifestyle Coach for the Manhattan site of the (NIH-funded) Diabetes Prevention Program, Nancy had the unique opportunity to be involved with groundbreaking research in the areas of obesity, diabetes, metabolism, body composition and eating disorders. Her own original research and writing reflect a particular interest in eating patterns and behaviors unique to obese individuals, most specifically the night-eating syndrome.

Nancy is an advocate for a healthy diet as part of a healthy lifestyle and is not inclined to put her clients on diets. She strongly believes that successful weight and disease management are based on the following 1) understanding basic nutrition, 2) identifying how nutrients or nutrient combinations affect a given individual and 3) realistic goal-setting. She takes pride in her ability to raise her client’s nutritional awareness by identifying and modifying particular behaviors which will provide the greatest long-term benefits.

As her family grew, Nancy’s decision to work locally led her to a position as Director of Nutrition & Lifestyle Programs at Health Extenders, a wellness facility in Norwalk, CT. An overwhelming need for nutrition professionals knowledgeable in bariatrics has led Nancy to become a nutrition expert in the areas of the laparoscopic Roux-and-Y gastric bypass and Lap-Band procedures.

Nancy’s professional desire to see more emphasis on lifestyle modification as the most rewarding alternative to improving one's physical and emotional well-being has prompted her decision to start her own business, Fairfield County Lifestyle Consultants (FCLC). While nutrition is her area of expertise, Nancy believes that physical fitness and emotional well-being are equally important in establishing a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Thus, she chooses to work with many experienced professionals in the complementary fields of exercise physiology and psychology.

Nancy Murphy conducts nutrition support groups where the main purpose of this post-op nutrition support group is to provide our patients with reliable, accurate and understandable information about their post-op dietary needs and lifestyle challenges so long-term success will be the anticipated outcome.

SARAH COLLINS, Exercise Physiologist

Sarah Collins is the exercise physiologist for St. Vincent’s Medical Center, responsible for employee health and wellness. She is also owner of Fit Solutions by Sarah, LLC, a personal training and pilates studio in Trumbull CT where her special focus is special populations. Sarah has her Master of Science in Gerontology with a focus in Exercise Science from the University of Southern California, is ACSM: Health Fitness Specialist certified, NASM: Certified Personal Trainer certified and STOTT Pilates certified in Reformer and Mat, AFFAA Advanced Personal Trainer and a national YMCA of USA Faculty Trainer.

Sarah Collins leads a support group whose purpose is to provide education and instruction regarding exercise program design. Information will be provided for enhanced back health with abdominal strength and endurance exercises, proper stretching techniques, resistance training for improved muscular strength and endurance (i.e. energy and vitality) and techniques to enhance cardiovascular endurance post bariatric surgery. The focus is on providing an environment that is supportive, offering modifications for all individuals to help all obtain confidence in approaching a more active lifestyle.