Meet the expert:
Neil Floch, MD, Bariatric Surgery

Internationally known bariatric surgeon Neil Floch, MD, is the new director of Bariatric Surgery at Greenwich Hospital and an associate professor of surgery in the division of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Floch has performed thousands of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgeries. He is a former president of the Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. Known for his expertise and exuberance, Dr. Floch enjoys connecting with patients via multiple social media platforms.

Why come to Greenwich Hospital?

As a surgeon and Greenwich resident, I’m excited about offering more treatment options to patients in Greenwich and surrounding towns in Fairfield and Westchester counties. The Yale Bariatric Surgery Program is unique because we work with psychologists and registered dietitians in Greenwich Hospital’s Center for Behavioral and Nutritional Health, as well as exercise physiologists from its Center for Healthy Living. Plus, Greenwich Hospital has a national reputation for great patient satisfaction.

How prevalent is obesity?

Not only has obesity become rampant, but for the first time in recent history, life expectancy in the United States has decreased. About 43 percent of Americans need treatment. So many people with obesity could benefit from surgery or medication – but they don’t seek treatment.

What are some barriers to treatment?

There’s a stigma associated with obesity and treatment. People still blame the patient. But often, obesity results from genetic and environmental factors, combined with sedentary lifestyles and diet, such as highly processed foods that are low in nutrients while high in sugar and addictive additives. This leads to obesity and increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, cancer and other illnesses.

Insurance doesn’t always cover weight-loss surgery, which poses another barrier to care. Advocates have been trying to change that in Connecticut for the last five years. I plan to continue working with the Connecticut General Assembly to develop a bill that would increase insurance access for obesity surgery.