Rebecca W's Story
“My name is Rebecca Walmann, I am 23 years old, and I have lost a total of 167 pounds after having Lap Band surgery four years ago. Although I constantly exercised and ran five times a week, even after I lost the weight I was always reminded that I was a formerly obese person because of the excess skin I was left with. I tried not to let my excess skin hold me back, but in reality it held me back mentally and in the clothes that I could wear. I could see my excess stomach skin through my clothes and I hated it. Although I was so proud of myself for losing the weight, I didn’t feel pretty, and hated the way I looked in clothes and out of them.I met Dr. Katzen at the WLSFA event in Las Vegas in May of 2012, and KNEW that he was my reconstructive plastic surgeon within seconds of meeting him. His bedside manner is bar none and his skill is the best in the business (in my humble opinion…seriously…have you seen what he can do?). He had a way of making me feel so comfortable, was so reassuring, and made me excited for the thoughts of a new, beautiful body that I knew he could deliver. I scoured his website before (and after) meeting him and could not BELIEVE the dramatic transformations he gave his patients. I had to book with him.I had my first surgery with him that December. I had a brachioplasty (arm lift) as well as a breast lift with augmentation (implants). After this surgery I was happy, but incomplete… I needed my stomach done, too. A year and a half later, I finally got the surgery I have always wanted: a 360 body lift. I flew to Los Angeles from Kansas to have my surgery with him on May 7, 2014.
I now say this was the second best decision of my life…the first was losing weight, the 360 body lift surgery was the second. Dr. Katzen has absolutely changed my life and I am forever thankful for his skill and the way he treats his patients. I am beyond thrilled with the flat tummy that he gave me and the adorable belly button that I now have, which was a concern of mine. I finally look like I have a normal body, which is how I was supposed to look all along. This surgery has raised my self-esteem tenfold. I often find myself emotional when I look at pictures or look in the mirror because I am so happy with the changes. The transformation is so dramatic and I finally am starting to feel beautiful.
Since I am an out of state patient, I stayed in a local hotel for two weeks with my mom after my surgery. Even from 1,500 miles away he is still communicating with me for post op care, makes me feel so reassured with any questions I may have, and is here for me at any time. Dr. Katzen’s care for his patients is something you will not find anywhere else. You just won’t.
How can you thank someone for changing your life completely around? Although it’s *just* skin, the removal of it makes all the difference. Thank you Dr. Katzen + team for changing my life. I could not be happier with my new body! I really do have a Body By Katzen, and one that I am incredibly proud of. Now…where’s my bikini? :)”