“Thanks!”

Dear Dr. Lowen,

It’s been only 10 days since you performed my abdominoplasty and breast augmentation surgery and I already feel compelled to extend to you a testimonial and my deepest and sincerest “Thanks!” I feel like the luckiest person on earth to have found such an experienced, skilled, and professional cosmetic surgeon. Thanks to you, I have sailed through this recovery period and already feel like a new person! This has been a life changing event for me.

I’m 41 years old with three children and have always maintained my weight to within 10 lbs of what I consider my normal weight. The last five years of my life I have considered myself as fit as I have ever been; I work out in the gym and have become an avid mountain bike rider, road biker, runner, skier, hiker, etc. Regardless of how fit I felt, I’d had a very poor self body image due to my extensive abdominal stretch marks, excess lower abdominal skin, and sagging breasts. I’d grown tired of hiding in the locker rooms, wearing baggy clothes, and feeling overly self-conscious in front of my husband. I felt most deserving of looking as good outside as I felt inside.

I’d considered this surgery for several years, but had been scared due to the extensive nature of abdominoplasty, the long recovery, and the fact that I’d never experienced general anesthesia before. Additionally, I’d read many stories on the internet concerning long, painful recoveries and disappointment. And then to think that I was going to throw in breast augmentation on top of the abdominoplasty! Nevertheless, I researched as much as I could and consulted with four local surgeons. I selected you based on your experience, qualifications, and most of all, a woman’s intuition. I could tell that you were a perfectionist, detail-oriented surgeon, compassionate about achieving excellent results, and had an excellent understanding of the human form.

Did I ever make one of the most excellent decisions of my life! My recovery has been far easier than I expected and I can’t wait for summer to arrive. I don’t know how you managed to minimize the trauma to my body during such an extensive operation, but I had no bruising whatsoever and virtually no pain after day two of post-op. I would consider the first week uncomfortable, but not painful. It’s mind boggling to me that I was able to quit taking pain meds only two days after the surgery. I feel so great that I’m ready to get back on my bike (but that would be against doctor’s orders, so I write this letter instead).

I’d also like to thank your staff for their constant care and professionalism. Never did I feel like I was vain and shallow, but instead that I had a medical condition as valid as any. They have all been caring, friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive. I also appreciate the efficiency of the scheduling, to this day I have never sat in the waiting room. I’m always whisked away and seen immediately. I’m very pleased with all of the post-op care from you and your staff.

I recall a Michelangelo quote where he described his ability to sculpt because he could see the beautiful human figure within the marble block; all he had to do was chip away the excess. Dr Lowen, I consider you a modern day artist and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for delicately chipping away at my excess and exposing the beauty beneath. I can’t wait to experience life with my new body that I have always deserved.

My deepest gratitude and sincerest thanks,