12/21/06--I have been well aware of Dr.Katzen's skills for quite some time because he had done my husbands plastics, and when it became time for me to have plastic surgery he was of course at the top of my wish list of surgeons. When I had my initial consultation, I was sweating I was so nervous and Dr. Katzen made me feel at ease, I like knowing that he has worked with so many other bariatric patients so that I know that he has seen many people with the same issues. Initially, the insurance company wanted additional information and Dr. Katzen got on the phone and personally got my approval, so I packed up and went all the way from Ohio to California. When I got to Dr. Katzens office for my pre-op visit, I was again a bundle of nerves and as soon as he walked in the door, I jumped up and asked him for a hug because I was nervous and he took the time to reassure me that everything would be ok, he was not worried that he had other patients waiting, he took the time to devote to me and make sure all my questions were answered. The next day was surgery and he marked me before surgery and showed me exactly what we were going to remove, we again addressed any questions and fears I had and then they made me comfortable and put me to sleep, I remember nothing until I was in my room. Dr. Katzen uses the best hospitals and the staff was great. I had my ON-Q pump, so I felt nothing from the tummy tuck, I did feel some pain from my hernia repair, however I hear that this is normal and that pain went away after a few days. I was up and walking around in a few days and my recovery has been a breeze. Dr. Katzen shared with me before pictures and I was so stunned at what he was able to do with my body, it is totally different, I am so happy, I never dreamed that the results could be this good. Dr. Katzen has given me more than I could ever have hoped for. He is so skilled and removed 22 pounds just from my belly. I will never be a Barbie doll, but when I look in the mirror, the absence of skin on my belly, and the hourglass shape he as given me takes my breath away. I told him THANK YOU; however those tiny words do not seem big enough to account for the change that he as made in my life.
Cheryl McCoy
1/04 Dr. Katzen is amazing. You will not find another surgeon that will take better care of you. We traveled from Ohio to California just to get to him. He has become not only our surgeon but our friend. His staff is wonderfull and takes care of every aspect of the surgery from geting surgery approval to making sure that your loved ones stay informed during surgery. I will forever be comparing the excellent care that we received to every other doctor's office and I am sure they will not measure up. Dr. Katzen understands the needs of the bariatric patient. He understands our "skin" issues and approaches each issue with experienced solutions. He takes great care in realizing that this is a new beginning and a new life for you and he shares in that with you. I know that Dr. Katzen changed our lives forever because he cared enough to listen and understand what we needed and he made it a priority. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DIFFERENCE THAT HE HAS MADE IN THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES. HE IS A GENIUS WITH THE SCALPEL!!!!
Dr. Katzen is a great doctor. If you are an African American, and worried about scars, like I was, Dr. Katzen is the one to see. While he cannot guarantee perfect results, like any doctor, his skill has left me with minimal scarring.
One of the many things issues that trouble wl patients is the excess skin. Dr. Katzen actually specializes in baractric and extreme weight loss patients. Most PS that I saw prior to my going to Dr. Katzen wanted to perform the same procedure, thigh lift T-incision on the thighs - groin to knee and arm lift pit to elbow, even though I didn't have extra skin at the joint region. This meant no matter what I was going to have a long scar. Finally, I met Dr. Katzen, who gave me other options to the procedures that I wanted.
You spend years trying to get the weight off, the last thing you want is a large reminder of how far you came. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life hiding scars the same way I hide my body in obesity.
Nearly a year and a half my plastic surgery, I am still amazed what a wonderful job he did on my butt and thigh lift. The butt lift scars are in the perfect position and nearly undetectable. I can't say enough about Dr. Katzen. My thigh lift scars have nearly completely faded.
Words cannot express how much Dr. Katzen has changed my life, but he helped save one as well. He helped counsel my aunt whose daughter was on the verge of death. He was able to provide an unbiased opinion which helped my aunt make a decision that ultimately saved my cousin's life. Thanks just doesn't say enough.
I had a tummy tuck and thigh lift done on 11/3/04. Dr Katzen is a wonderful surgeon.My incisions look remarkable, much better than anticipated.
I just adore Dr Katzen on a personal level, he always has the time to talk to you, he is available 24 hours a day for you, he has his feet firmly planted on the ground and does not have the "god complex" that many surgeons have. He is very caring and put me at ease always. He is a wonderful surgeon and I highly recommend him to anybody!
I had several consults before I came across Dr. Katzen. I knew from that consult that I would allow no one else to work on me. His professionalism and personal care are exceptional. He is direct and explains everything thoroughly. Yet, he is not arrogant in any way. He does not hesitate to listen to everything I have to say and always responds in a thoughtful and knowledgeable manner. I had a tummy tuck and full lower body lift, specifically my thighs. Wow!! I am still amazed that the woman looking back at me in the mirrow is actually me! Dr. Katzen and his team are, without question, the best! Would it be over the top to say he is truly a magician?
I had a tummy tuck in October, 2003. I have been so very pleased with the results of my first surgery that I'm scheduled for breast reduction in May, 2004. The tummy tuck was a twenty five year dream come true. I've had three children and a hysterectomy so my abdominal skin was loose, to put it gently. I'm an RN in the Emergency Department and a single woman. I'm active to a point and by no means ready for the rocking chair yet but the hangover tummy was embarrassing. And in the summer I suffered with rashes from the belly skin rubbing over itself. I hestitated to have an intimate relationship with a man unless it was in the dark. As an educated person I knew what to do, what questions to ask and where to find the information, but I needed more face to face answers to my questions. Dr. Katzen gave me all the time I needed, answered all my questions, made me laugh. Even taking those pictures was comfortable. He told me exactly what to expect, how the surgery would happen, how I would recuperate, and how I would look - FLAT ABS!. He was right on the line. He is caring, considerate, kind, a real person not just 'THE DOCTOR'. He has a remarkable office staff in Lieu and Valerie. They, too, were caring of what I wanted and needed. I recommend him highly to anyone who is considering plastic surgery. I've been so pleased with my results that I've shown my fellow staffers, some of the other MDs and even an Emergency Department patient or two how I look (read: the scar!) I'm that proud and that grateful.
Have to say Dr. Katzen’s the best. He’s performed 3 procedures on me; removal of excess skin on my under arms, breast lift with implants and removal of cyst on left wrist. From the first day I met Dr. Katzen he was professional with a very warm and caring heart. He explains things in a way that one can understand and shows confidence in what he does, not to mention he’s very meticulous. He does not make you feel rushed or hurried as some Dr.’s do. He listens and takes everything you have to say under great consideration. He has a great staff working with him too. Lieu and Valerie are very helpful. He will also be doing a thigh lift on me after I recuperate. I highly recommend Dr. Katzen.
I had bariatric surgery with Dr. Milton Owens almost two years ago. I've lost over 120 pounds. I had some sagging skin in my abdomen and decided to have reconstructive surgery. Dr. Tim Katzen did a tummy tuck on me over five months ago and I feel great. I am extremely pleased with the results. Dr. Katzen is a highly recomended doctor .
I had a thigh lift, hernia repair, & lipo of the legs done 2/10/04 by Dr. Katzen. He is a awsome Dr. who takes everything you say to heart & does an incredible job. He has a excellent bedside manner & I felt very comfortable & confindent in everything that he had to say & do. They try very hard to get insurance to cover the cost of the reconstructive surgery for the excess skin removal, which alot of P.S. do not do. I recommend him highly. ~ Cindi