"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!!!! "
"I was very impressed that he was so down to earth and patient with me. He explained everything very well and answered all my questions. His office staff is effecient and VERY busy. Don't waste their time with questions that you can research on your own and they will be very helpful to you. I did not like that with the OSU program, you do not meet your surgeon until you are ready for surgery and have all your classes completed. I think that you should get to meet him first and decide whether you want him or not. The OSU program is very structured and they have the "hoops" that you will have to jump through all lined up for you. All you have to do is have the patience to wait until you get thru all of them. Dr. Cook went over all the risks with me and emphasized what I would need to do for aftercare. Overall I rate him before surgery an 8. "
