Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgery Center

My experience with Dr. Katzen has been an extremely positive one. He performed breast reconstruction surgery on me because of prior.breast cancer surgery, I had a ruptured implant and pain on the other side (from another doctor). Dr.Katzen replaced both implants so evenly they are 100% better and look prefect. You need that for your self confidence. I can't thank him enough for making me whole again. Also everyone on his staff has gone out of their way to fulfill my request and needs. I am sincerely grateful.

Two years ago I had gastric bypass and lost over 170 lbs. It gave me back my health but I still felt self-conscious and that my total journey was incomplete because I had so much excess skin on my abdomen, legs, arms and chest. I knew I was going to have to undergo major plastic surgery and as soon as I met Dr. Katzen I knew I had found my surgeon. I instantly trusted him; he was kind, straightforward and answered every one of my questions. Dr. Katzen's staff is also fabulous. I do not live in California and traveled from out of state to have my surgeries. Everyone in his office was extremely helpful and patient in answering all of my annoying requests and questions.

As far as the results, I had an abdominaplasty, brachioplasty, thigh lift and breast lift/augmentation in October of 2006 and couldn't be happier. I think the pictures speak for themselves.I still can't believe this body is mine and keep pinching myself every time I look in the mirror. I am truly grateful.THANKS for everything.

I was first introduced to Dr. Timothy Katzen at a support group meeting for Chapman Center for Obesity. He spoke about the possible need or desire for plastic surgery after weight loss. At that time, I was just beginning my journey, but after a loss of 100 pounds, I felt like it was necessary for me to go forward and have excess skin removed.

From the first consultation meeting at Dr. Katzen’s office, I was very at ease and Dr. Katzen explained and answered all my questions. He made me feel very comfortable in such an awkward (to me anyways) situation. I proceeded with three surgeries. I had a neck lift, tummy tuck, torso and an arm lift. It was a journey, with all 3 surgeries, but a road well taken.

Without the encouragement of Dr. Katzen and his great personality, and his office staff, I could not have done this. Also without my family and friends support, it would not have been possible. I am so thankful and blessed to have been able to be taken care of by such a great doctor and staff.

Thank you so much for your care and concerns, and making me feel great about myself.

My name is Christine Walt. I’m a 33 year old mother of 2, and I work as a bariatric coordinator for a weight loss surgeon in Phoenix. I underwent my own RNY gastric bypass 6-1-04. My high weight was 285 and within a year was down to 145. I was thrilled with my weight loss, improved health, and basic overall look. I was always getting compliments from friends and family members on how good I looked, but then when I was home, and changing clothes I could see what no one else saw……the excess hanging skin.

During my weight loss process I had always said that I would not get plastic surgery because I would have just been happy to lose the weight. As time went on and more and more weight came off, I found that my original statements just didn’t hold true. I did want to complete the process. I was so proud of what I had accomplished, and I knew that I deserved to have the body that I had always wanted.

I first met Dr. Katzen at an Obesity Help conference in Phoenix. I was very impressed by his presentation, and his before and after photo’s just seemed to trump most of the other surgeons photo’s that I had seen. I knew this was the plastic surgeon for me!

Since I live in Phoenix, AZ I found it necessary to communicate thru email, rather than travel back and forth. Dr. Katzen’s staff was excellent, and always made me feel like their most special patient. That spoke volumes to me. Soon I had a date to have the Katzen Power Lift (circumfrential body lift), and a bi-lateral medial thigh lift. I flew to Los Angeles the day prior to my surgery and went to meet with Dr. Katzen. I was very nervous when the doctor came in to meet with me, but by the time I left his office I was at such a peace with the procedure, and what to expect. Surgery went wonderfully, the hospital and staff was tremendous, and of course Dr. Katzen made certain that I was always very comfortable. I stayed in LA for a couple more days prior to flying home, and continued to have a very normal recovery.

Today when people meet me they would never know that I had been morbidly obese, let alone have had plastic surgery. I’m able to wear the kind of clothing that I want to wear, shop where I want to, and I have the confidence in my body that I was looking for.

Thank you to Dr. Katzen for helping me to achieve my desired look. You are the best!

So, how do you get to be 393lbs and not play professional football? I also forgot to say that I was a 22 year old woman. I made the decision to have gastric bypass surgery and have not been the same person ever since. After losing 248lbs in a short period of time I found myself with a BIG problem, way too much skin.”

I was referred to this doctor that turned out to be a saint, his name is Dr. Katzen. I have had a number of surgeries and lost over 18 – 20 pounds of skin. You know about 80 quarter pounders. The procedures include; Breast lift with augmentation and implants, Brachioplasty (upper arm lift) and a Circumferential Body Lift. I still have one more procedure left, a Thigh Lift. I would not think of going any where else but to Dr. Katzen.

Why Dr. Katzen? He is an intelligent, patient and caring doctor that makes you feel like you are his only patient in life. He is a tireless professional that you can call in the middle of the night when you are in pain. He never has a bad day when it comes to dealing with patients. He said he would make me a new person and he did. It is nice to turn heads.

Since going though all of this I have made the second most important decision of my life. I got married to the man of my dreams. I told Dr. Katzen that without what he has done for me that I would not have had the confidence to fall in love and open myself up. He gave me that confidence.

I said earlier that I see Dr. Katzen as a saint and you will too after spending time with him.

After losing 200 lbs., I was left with multiple layers of hanging skin. Dr Katzen has taken my body and sculpted it into something I thought I would only have in my dreams. He is the most amazing, talented surgeon and I recommend him to everyone

I met Dr. Katzen about three years ago when did the first of several procedures for my step-sister. He greeted me very warmly as if he had known me all of his life. At each of the procedures I had contact with Dr. Katzen, and his bedside manner was excellent.

When it was time for me to have my “Tummy Tuck” there was no question in my mind who would be the surgeon for my procedure. Dr. Katzen was very professional through every stage of the process. After my Tummy Tuck last February he spent no less than 30 minutes (in the hospital) with my wife and me, answering all of our questions.

He has surrounded himself with a professional support staff, which is important to me. They cleared the procedure with my insurance company with no problems what so ever.

I would recommend Dr. Katz to anyone in need of his services.

As one who first-assisted on many plastic facial and Reconstructive procedures in the early 70¹s at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., I feel I can say with a level of assurance, Dr. Katzen’s skill level, dedication to his patients and the “art” of medicine is without peer.

I had weight loss surgery in July of 2004 at Cedar's Sinai Hospital with Dr. Khalili. My highest weight was 315 pounds. I had several complications due to the excess weight includes, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, infertility, and depression. Since my weight loss surgery, I have lost a total of 180 pounds. 140 pounds was in the first 18 months after surgery and I was left with unsightly and uncomfortable hanging skin. That's when I decided to see Dr. Katzen. As with weight loss surgery, I did my research. I consulted with 3 other surgeons prior to doctor Katzen and visited various websites in search of the right surgeon to meet my needs. Some told me that I was far beyond what plastic surgery could fix. And other's told me that they could help me with the loose skin, but they didn't have experience with WLS patients. When I saw Dr. Katzen, he was like a breath of fresh air. I was already discouraged about having surgery done, so I was so happy and excited to hear how familiar and experienced Dr. Katzen is with WLS patients. He talked with me, not at me, and made me feel at ease. He understood my concerns and truly listened to me with concern. I felt like I was with a long family friend, and I trusted him with my life. On November 11th, 2005, I had a circumferential body lift. Dr. Katzen removed approximately 20 pounds of excess skin and fat around my body and thighs and continued to loose another 10 pounds on my own. This makes my total weight loss of 180 pounds -- GONE FOREVER!! I went from originally wearing a plus size 30/32 to now wearing a petite size 2.

I am a new woman now. I have self confidence that I never knew was in me. I feel great, I like looking in mirror now, and shopping for clothes is the funnest thing I love to do! I am so grateful and completely happy with how Dr. Katzen has taken care of me. He truly understood my needs, and gave me the results that I always believed could never happen. Thank you Dr. Katzen!!

Gastric bypass gave me my health back. I lost 135 lbs, half my body weight. I went from a size 26 to a size 10 in jeans. Despite the fact that I had reached my high school weight, and that I looked great in most clothes, however, I still did not feel like I was done. I knew the only way to overcome my obstacles was through plastic-surgery. And living in So Cal, the hub of plastic surgery with so many plastic surgeons to choose from, I knew I had my research cut out for me.

I read books, surfed the internet, and asked people I knew for referrals. The more I learned, and the more surgeons I consulted, the more confused and overwhelmed I became… until I met Dr. Katzen.

My consultation with Dr. Katzen was the most comfortable one ever. Dr. Katzen’s experience and knowledge shined through. He took the time to hear me out, answer my questions, and address my concerns. I did not leave without setting up a surgery date.

As far as my overall results, I AM ECSTATIC. Dr. Katzen has sculpted my body into one that I am not ashamed to show off. I am down to a size 8 in jeans. I actually enjoy shopping again I do not dread running into old friends that I have not seen in ages anymore… and I look forward to meeting new people.

Essentially, I now have my life back, and I have Dr. Katzen to thank for that. I obviously cannot say enough good things about my plastic surgery experience with Dr. Katzen. His bed-side manner is unmatched. He has definitely raised the bar to unattainable heights for the physicians and surgeons I will encounter in the future. If I ever need plastic surgery again, it will definitely be with Dr. Katzen… and I recommend him to anyone that is interested or considering plastic surgery.