Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgery Center

I am extremely happy with Dr. Katzen and the work that he preformed. I am over joyed with the results. He is not only a brilliant surgeon but also a kind and caring person.

After losing over 100 lbs from my gastric bypass surgery, I still felt like the fat girl as I had large amounts of excess skin. I was able to hide some of the skin in clothes, but not all. It has only been a few weeks since my surgery with Dr Katzen. I had a body and thigh lift in which 27 lbs of skin and tissue were removed. Even though I am still swollen, it is amazing the transformation so far. I can not wait to see how I will look fully recovered. Dr Katzen has been there to answer all questions and make me feel comfortable.

I am scheduled for brachioplasty and breast lift/augmentation with Dr. Katzen on February 26, 2009 and I couldn't be more excited.

Dr. Katzen and his staff (you know who you are -- Lieu, Diana, Raquel, Jane...) are amazingly supportive, patient and knowledgeable. His office is serene and accommodating (big chairs, waterfalls and calming music) and his examination rooms are huge. About the only thing he could do to make it better is install bigger mirrors so we can better ogle ourselves, once he's done with us!

I learned about Dr. Katzen here, on OH, after attending presentations by two other surgeons at my weekly support group meeting. I was amazed (and impressed) by the sheer volume of positive reviews Dr. Katzen had amassed (158, at the time), especially considering the "number 2" surgeon only had 9 reviews!

After reading some of them and learning about his qualifications, I immediately scheduled a consultation and -- interestingly enough -- ended up "running" into him beforehand (along with a few members of his staff, and several of his enthusiastic patients), at the Long Beach Walk From Obesity.

Let me just say, Dr. Katzen is SO highly regarded by his former patients, he's achieved nothing short of rock-star status for his work. I'm not kidding about this -- his patients will show you their scars (and "amazingly perfect" belly buttons) at the drop of a hat! You couldn't PAY people for this sort of adoration, believe me!

Anyway, In October, I got to attend his free (and exceptionally-informative) seminar, where I learned the caliber of the man -- not just the doctor -- through first-hand accounts of satisfied patients. So many had shown up to rave about his work (they are NOT paid for their time), he had to actually cut their talks short, just so he could get up and talk himself (!!!)

So, what more can I say about him? Dr. Katzen's knowledge and experience with post-bariatric patients are unbelievably impressive (99% of his practice is dedicated to WLS patients), yet he remains approachable, compassionate and concerned. He is not the slightest bit aloof, listens when you ask endless questions, and never makes you feel rushed. Making the decision to put my body in his hands is a no-brainer. Basically, I call him Dr. Zen, because after I meet with him, my chi is just a little more balanced (ha ha).

Of course, I'm still a pre-op, but based upon the endless stories of his post-operative care, I know I'll be even MORE thrilled about him once I come back as a post-op to update this review!

In Southern California (especially Beverly Hills) we have many, many reconstructive surgeons to choose from, so I'd encourage prospective patients to do their due diligence and interview other doctors BEFORE they settle on Dr. Katzen (it's just prudent).

Like the Cadillac commercials say, "drive everything ELSE; THEN buy a Cadillac." Once you meet Dr. Katzen, you'll forget about everyone else.

*** POST-SURGERY UPDATE ***
Now that I'm an official -- AND SUCCESSFUL -- post-op, I figure it's time to update my review of Dr. Katzen.

Let me just say that I LOVE this man -- since the day of my surgery, he's made me feel that I'm his only patient. How, on earth he's able to accomplish this is beyond me, but he does it with compassion and gentle concern. As a matter of fact, I've taken to calling him Dr. "Zen" because of his amazingly calm, patient and comforting bedside manner. Whether he's returning one of my panicky calls on the way home from surgery, or visiting with me in one of my post-op appointments, he has NEVER made me feel crazy for my concerns -- never once. He is reassuring and very compassionate -- two things I cannot stress enough.

Now, for the quality of my surgery: This man is an ARTISTIC GENIUS! I'm telling you -- even though I'm only 6 weeks out, my arms and breasts look incredible -- the incision lines on my arms are so flat and the "pleating" (areas where the very deepest sutures are still dissolving) is disappearing more and more each day -- exactly as he said it would.

I will tell you that I have had PAIN -- but when you think about it, this is major surgery with major cutting, so why wouldn't it be painful? That's where pain management comes into play, and Dr. Katzen is incredibly supportive about it. He does NOT want his patients to be in any pain (if he can help it) and is very forthcoming in providing the best pain meds available. I'm still a long way from being "fully healed," but since day one post-op, I've had ZERO regrets in choosing Dr. Katzen to perform this surgery. He is my hero and I can't imagine that I ever considered anyone else for the job! His hands are gifts from God -- no doubt about it -- and I recommend him as highly as I can recommend anyone. If I ever have additional work done, you can BET it will happen with him (and only him!) Thank you for giving me a new life, Dr. Katzen!

After significant weight loss, Dr. Katzen helped complete the transformation. My concerns and question were answered from the initial visit throughout the post operative visits. Highly recommend Dr. Katzen.

I recently had a chemical peel and facial laser resurfacing, my results are amazing. I followed my post operative instruction, the recovery was quick and easy. I highly recommend Dr. Katzen.

Dr. Katzen has done such amazing work. I have doctors tell me they can't even see the scars. I trust and believe that Dr. Katzen is the best surgeon for plastic surgery. I hope everyone has a chance to meet such an amazing doctor.

Dr. Katzen is the most amazing doctor with the best bedside manner. I have the most beautiful stomach from now and now I will wear a bikini.

I am quite happy with the results of Dr Katzen's work! I found him to be a very caring person, that remembers personal details about his patients. It is obvious that he cares about his patients. He is completely professional, thorough, and does his best to make you feel comfortable. He is a wonderful, very capable Dr. and I would highly recommend him.

I’ am satisfied with my over experience with Dr. Katzen and his staff. His bedside manner is beyond excellent, my results are great and lastly I would refer my friends and family to Dr. Katzen in a heartbeat.

When I began my final weight loss journey I had no idea I would end up where I am today. Most weight loss programs tell you to use visualization techniques as part of their program to keep you motivated. One day when I received a clothing catalog there was a faceless model wearing a really great jeans and sweater outfit. I cut out the picture and had a dozen color copies made. I pasted them to card stock and put them anywhere, including the car, where I typically spent time time during the day.

To be absolutley honest no matter how hard I tried I really couldn’t imagine myself looking as good as my inspiration picture. In fact I went from really bad to worse in the weight category during the years I had that picture. I gave up completely until I made the final agonizing decision to have bariatric-bypass surgery.

I went from a high of 298.5 lbs. to 185 lbs. in a relatively easy transition, then slowly down to 172 lbs. where I stayed. I was happy….no I was ecstatic! And for the most part I assumed I was through with my journey. I looked good. Fortunately, I did not have the grossly hanging belly that many people get, tho I did have one, but my thighs were a mess.

When I initially went to see Dr. Katzen my thighs were my primary concern. For a few months I had been reading articles in various WLS magazines and on web-sites about reconstructive surgery. I went to seminars given by plastic surgeons and others to learn about the results that were possible.

One of the biggest emphasis made was that a patient needed to be comfortable and have complete trust in their surgeon. That made sense to me. Afterall, it had taken me two years to find my WLS surgeon. So I made appointments with some highly recommended plastic surgeons. Then I went to see Dr. Katzen. What a difference! I knew immediately he was the doctor I needed.

His unassuming demeanor, his down-to-earth suggestions, his manner of asking questions were without a doubt the most comforting, assuring experience I had had in my search. As soon as I could…no insurance…I scheduled my body-lift surgery. Whoa! What happened to the thighs? Well, on very sound advice from Dr. Katzen, they were lippoed at the same time in advance of further surgery at a later time but based on his experience there were other surgeries that needed to come first…and I will be having them.

Body by Katzen, unless you have experienced it, you have no idea! My words cannot describe how I look. I look so much better than my inspiration picture it is unreal. What I thought was an OK look before became a stunning look after. I have never looked this good in my life (I was not always extremely obese), did not imagine I could ever look like this, and sometimes, frankly, can hardly recognize myself.

Dr. Katzen is like a great sculpter only he uses humans as his art material instead of marble. He has a vision. He has a method. He has training. He has experience. Am I gushing? Yes!

And I do not want to leave out his office staff. They reflect his attitude of calm and caring. They are as interested in the results as he is. They are supportive, they are receptive to concerns and they are as excited as I am about my results. In fact one, I won’t name names, didn’t even recognize me!

I am 62 years old, have lost a total of 143 lbs., look like I am 45 and have most of the body of a 25 year old! How great is that? Life is good. Thanks, Dr. Katzen!