Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgery Center
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Dr. Katzen and his staff have been wonderful. Very flexible and accommodating, there has been a genuine concern for me and my health issues. I would recommend him to any bariatric patient for whatever reconstructive procedure deemed necessary. His work completes the bariatric surgery journey. I feel like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon
I have been “the fat girl” my entire life. I knew from the time I was 6 years old that I had an eating disorder that I allowed to control my life and get me binging on food uncontrollably. My life has been unmanageable and my sanity level as been nonexistent. I would eat food out of the trash if no one was looking. I have gained and lost over 1000 pounds on diets that just didn’t work. After being told that I “look like to of you from behind, Melissa” I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I became desperate and was told that I needed to gain another 20 pounds before I would be a candidate for any type of weight loss surgery. I began what would be the final binge on my way to WLS. I gained the weight but was told I was still not a candidate. Finally, I went through another means, when I was 26 years old to start loosing weight. My choice was a spiritually based program and I can happily tell you that G-d and I have given away 110 pounds. I worked so hard on why I eat what I eat and fixing me from the inside out. I decided that this would have to be a lifestyle choice and not a means of losing weight. I have been doing this for just about 9 years now and I was able to keep the weight off. After 7 years of working a strict food plan, I finally started working out and found a love of it that I just could NEVER get before. I knew that my choice to make this a new lifestyle was sealed. Now it was time to seek out the perfect surgeon that would understand me…….
I started my search and spoke with 5 different doctors all chosen by a means of referral. I had 2 different people tell me about Dr. Katzen. I went and say him in 2005 and had a body estimate done. Because of family/life circumstances, I had to put my plans on my body overhaul on hold. Finally, in February of 2008, I went back to him again and said, “I am READY!!” I was pleased when he noticed my attempts at working out and told me that the leg lift we had discussed in the past was no longer necessary. A doctor that didn’t want to do something unnecessary? I knew I was in the right place. (By the way, when my surgery actually happened and I was under, Dr. Katzen determined that I also did not need the breast lift which shorten my surgery by 1 ½ hours AND put money back in my pocket.)
My surgery took place 1 month later. I was scheduled for 9 hours of surgery which included: abdominoplasty, breast lift and augmentation, and liposuction. I had NEVER had any surgery in my entire life and Dr. Katzen and his staff assured me that I would come out just fine. They shared their own experiences with me as far as their own cosmetic surgeries were concerned, both with Dr. Katzen and with other doctors.
Dr. Katzen was there for me as were Diana, Racquel and Jane. If I needed anything, they all went above and beyond the call of duty, whether it was in the middle of the night or on a Saturday shipping a new garment to me during their day off. I received phone calls checking on me constantly as well as well wishes and words of encouragement.
Unfortunately, I had a set back that was unavoidable and had to go back under for some revision work and Dr. Katzen was right there taking care of me again. He spent more time on my healing than perhaps anyone else that he was seeing at the time and remained patient and professional the entire time.
I just knew that I chose the right doctor for the job. His compassion and bedside manner is second to none. I have given his name and number to many people I know since then. The main reason I chose Dr. Katzen was because he understood the journey that this former fat girl made from the woman lost in skin to a beautiful swan. It was more than just the mommy make over. I was completing the transformation with an emotional choice that has since then changed my life and I am SOOOO grateful to Dr. Katzen for his beautiful work and his beautiful heart.
Sincerely,
Melissa Rogers
Weight loss was from 235 Pounds to 125 Pounds
After losing 219 lbs I decided I had no choice but to get reconstructive surgery. I looked at 3 plastic surgeons before I choose Dr Katzen. I went to 2 of his seminars and meet many of his patients. He is very knowledgable and caring. When I had a consult with him he made me feel very comfortable and he is very confidant in his work. I had a lower body lift and thigh lipo on June 5th and on Aug 28th I had a mons lift and a thigh lift. All my reconstructive surgery turned out excellant, especially my flat stomach. Never in my life have I had a flat stomach. I walk around trying to show family and friends my knew stomach. I love my new bellybutton...I have some friends and work aquantences that want to meet him for consultation after seeing the work he did on me. I healed great and had no complications.I I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr Katzen. I will be having my a BL/BA and arm lift next year with Dr Katzen. He is a Miricle Worker.......
My profile is under the name Beaglecookie. This system is not linking me to my profile when you click on my name.
I am currently 47 years old and I had gastric bypass surgery in Jan. ’05. I have been overweight since I was 2 years old and have never in my life known a flat stomach or smaller extremities. I would have described myself as barrel shaped or very round. Additionally, I’m short, 5’2” so even 10 extra pounds looks big!
Once the ‘losing’ phase of the bypass tool was over, I was working hard to stay in the ‘maintenance’ phase. When I had lost the bulk of what I was going to lose, I was left with skin hanging in my abdominal area along with fat that just wouldn’t go away. I have always had enormous arms and now they were thinner arms with an enormous amount of skin sagging from them. My inner thighs, especially, were sagging and wrinkly. Even my once full face and chin had skin sagging from underneath it now. I work out 3-4 times a week and unfortunately, it doesn’t do anything for the sags!!
I started thinking about the option of plastic surgery to help a little with some of these issues that embarrassed me daily. Well, once I started looking into what was available and taking a hard look at what I had, I realized I would be either jumping all the way in or making the decision to do nothing at all. This is when I started education myself about plastic surgery and the right doctor for the job.
I interviewed several doctors and asked for referrals and recommendations from many people including those who post to the website ObesityHelp.com. The doctor that stood out in every area I was looking for was Dr. J. Timothy Katzen. He possesses qualities unique to his industry. Besides being a highly skilled technician, he has a fine understanding and in depth knowledge of the issues that go along with a lifetime of obesity followed by rapid, dramatic weight loss. He’s sensitive to what it took to get there and understands the desire to improve the appearance. He is very realistic about the achievable results and will answer any question you may ever have. I never felt rushed or hurried and in fact, it often feels like you are the only patient he has when he’s with you.
Dr. Katzen performed my lower body lift in Oct. ’07. Words can not describe the deeply emotional response to seeing my stomach for the first time after surgery when Dr. Katzen removed the bandage and garment to check it the next day. Although I was lying down, I had a clear view, all the way down. If you’ve had obesity and extra skin issues, you know what I mean. I was in disbelief that he was able to make me look like a ‘normal’ person with actual curves!! I actually had a waist and my sides actually curved in. Unbelievable. My first full view in the mirror made me break down again and I thanked God for giving Dr. Katzen the skills to make a person feel acceptable.
Dr. Katzen’s after care is one of the most comprehensive, caring approaches I have ever seen. Obviously there is some pain involved while healing and questions, etc. and Dr. Katzen is highly sensitive to that. He has a wonderful way of making you feel like every question is relevant even though he’s probably heard the same thing a thousand times from his patients. He really cares.
The icing on the cake is Dr. Katzen’s staff – Jane, Raquel and Diana. When you arrive in the office you are greeted warmly and asked how you’re doing. Just those words mean so much. They handle their business very professionally but are never too busy to share a laugh. They make you feel comfortable and cared for while waiting to see Dr. Katzen. A doctor’s staff can be a reason for coming back or not and they are truly wonderful people. Thank you Jane, Diana and Raquel for making it such a pleasure to come to Dr. Katzen’s office.
As I am preparing for the next phase of my plastic surgery journey, I would not even consider going to anyone else. I am actually looking forward to seeing what miracles Dr. Katzen performs this time!
I thank you, Dr. Katzen, from the bottom of my heart. You may never truly know the impact you’ve had on someone’s self-esteem and body image, but for me, your impact has been life changing. Bless you.
I really never considered having plastis surgery , but once I lost all that weight I had so much loose skin all over my body. I knew my best bet for a normal life was to have plastic surgery.
I started researching plastic surgeons and I heard a lot of good things about Dr. Katzen. I found out that Dr. Katzen was having a seminar and would have many of patients speaking. Dr. Katzen went through the different types of procedures he preformed and I also listened and spoke to many of of his patients. Later that day I had a consultation woth Dr. Katzen and I was very impressed with him. I knew I wanted him for my doctor, but I knew I had better see a couple of other doctors to make sure. After meeting 2 other plastic surgeons I went with my instinict and choose Dr. Katzen.
He made it possible for me to move on with my life. A chance to have endure obsticles. I can't express the amount of gratitude I have.
Since puberty I’ve been insecure about my small misshapen breasts. I used to pray it was a phase and hoped that one day I would have the beautiful round breasts of the girls in my class. I graduated high school and my breasts never changed. Shopping for clothes was a nightmare and finding a bra that fit correctly was an even scarier task. For years I dealt with not getting that cute outfit or matching bra and panty set I really wanted. At age 28 I had enough with the disappointments and envying and I finally did something about it.
I was referred to Dr. Katzen by a family friend who is a gastric bypass patient and had a body makeover done by Katzen. She not only looked AMAZING but she gushed over Katzen, she couldn’t say enough nice things about him, so I had to meet him.
It was my first consultation and I was a nervous sweaty mess not only because I have to disrobe in front of a total stranger but I was also lost and 15 minutes late. I finally arrive and I’m greeted by Dr. Katzen and his staff, not only did I get a warm welcome but they were concerned. I’ve never experienced that before! Whenever I’m late anywhere I usually get attitude from the receptionist stating I should have been there 15 minutes ago.
So I fill out the necessary paper work, waited a couple minutes and I was off to the consultation room. Oh boy here we go! The butterflies kicked in. I’m told to remove my blouse and bra and given a nice robe to cover myself with. I wait just a couple of minutes and Dr. Katzen comes in, he shakes my hand and looks me in the eye when he says it’s a pleasure to meet you. He explains that he will examine my breasts and discuss my breast augmentation choices. The examination begins and butterflies are a whirl! I open the robe and Dr. Katzen looks over my upper body carefully, and continues to make eye contact when he speaks with me. He explains to me that I have Tubular Breast Deformity and goes into great detail about the disorder and emphasizes that many women suffer from the disorder and my case is not severe. Mental light bulb is on and butterflies are gone. I have always known something was wrong with my breasts and Dr. Katzen had just given me the answer to a long burning question “what’s wrong with me”? I felt great and excited to achieve the breasts I’ve always wished for. I was brought out of my euphoric state when the price hit me like a ton bricks.
Even though Dr. Katzen was wonderful I thought I could get a cheaper price and still a great doctor. Boy was I wrong I had consultations with Plastic Surgeons from Temecula to Beverly Hills and no one compared to Dr. Katzen’s staff, expertise, bedside manner, price and sincerity. I booked my surgery date with Dr. Katzen immediately and I knew I made the right choice.
Fast forward to the day of my surgery. I was calm, collected and totally confident when I walked into the medical center. My mom was not so collected, I guess she was nervous for me but I knew I had nothing to worry about. During surgery prep I was impressed with the staff and all the personal attention. I had no questions for everything was explained to me and Dr. Katzen again exceeded my expectations. The surgery went smoothly and I had very little pain or discomfort in recovery and even though I said I was fine Dr. Katzen would come in every so often to check up on me. 
Today I am 5 weeks post op and extremely pleased with my results, I couldn’t be happier and when I go in for my post op appointments I’m greeted by first name and still get the big warm welcome. I would highly recommend Dr. Katzen for any type of surgery!
After losing 160 lbs, I couldn't stand my hanging "jelly belly" anymore
and was ready for the next phase of my journey. Dr Katzen was very
professional yet so personable, too. He made me feel comfortable and
showed compassion in my after care treatment. Also, the office staff has
been very friendly and kind. I am convinced that Dr Katzen was the
perfect choice in my journey to a whole new me.
Like many of Dr.K's patients, I have lost a great deal of weight and knew that surgery was the only solution to tightening the excess skin that remained. Two years ago, my HMO agreed to a pandiculectomy, but this time I knew I'd have to do some research and find an outside plastic surgeon to do anything beyond. I interviewed about a dozen plastic surgeons, some recommended by friends and some not, but after I met Dr. Katzen, I knew immediately knew he would be the surgeon I'd want to do the procedure(s). My saggy upper arms have been an embarassment since my 20's, and over the years, as I gained weight, they only got worse. I stopped wearing sleeveless tops and eventually only wore blouses that hit my elbow. Today, I have upper arms that rival my 18 year-old daughter's! They are still healing, but they look soooo good already. The upper-torso procedure has given me the freedom to wear the tightest tees and there's no fat hanging over the bra (smooth above, below, and under the arms), and I love it! My neck was showing signs of aging besides the weight loss sagging, so I now have a smooth, tight neck that I know will keep me looking great for years to come. Although I've never had a double chin, my neck, jawline, and cheekbones now are as smooth and tight as a woman 20 years younger. I am amazed at Dr. K's magic. I am so grateful to Esther W. for telling me about him.
What more can I say? The office staff has been holding my hand, so to speak, and answering my gazillion questions from the beginning. THANK YOU DIANA AND RAQUEL!!! I have dutifully followed every bit of advice from Dr. K and as a result, have been healing very rapidly. Even with four procedures done at once (I'm so glad!), there was minimal pain afterwards, and I stopped taking pain meds four days after surgery. Two small drains came out a few days later. His devotion to his patients is immeasurable--he returns phone calls quickly and has patiently answered every question (and I must hold a record for the most questions!) and provided reassurance every time I worried that some phase of the healing was unusual. If anyone wants to contact me, feel free to do so--I am more than happy to share my wonderful experience and continue to praise Dr. Katzen and his crew.