Robert Katsuhiro Kure, MD

Over the last 5+ years, I've lost 60 lbs (went from 200 lbs to 140 lbs), but NONE of the weight lost came from my midsection whatsoever. My arms and legs thinned out, but my waist measurement (36-37") remained in abdominal obesity territory. I live in Japan, and decided to get liposuction here (rather than in the states) because it's close to home. I chose Dr. Robert Kure for my procedure, as he studied and practiced for years in the United States. Also, I felt reassured by the fact that he's US board certified in plastic surgery. I initially really wanted liposuction on my flanks and upper and lower abdomen, but Dr. Kure insisted on abdominal liposuction only. I figured "Ok... doctor knows best, I guess??" My surgery was conducted in his on-site outpatient facility. I was put under using general anesthesia. The the surgery took roughly 2ish hours (using tumescent liposuction technique). His 3 nurses/assistants were very, very kind and attentive. In fact, they were so attentive that it almost felt overwhelming at times. I was given an hour or so to fully wake up before taking a cab back to my hotel 1/2 mile away to recover. I'm very sensitive to anesthesia, and vomited a few times. NOT fun, but at least the compression garment made the heaving less painful, I guess? I was finally able to keep food like bread and yogurt down 7-8 hours after the procedure. I returned to the clinic the next morning to have the gauze removed and whatnot. This was the first time seeing my stomach. There was no noticeable difference whatsoever. I just looked like a bruised version of what I was before. I know I should be patient, and that I'm swollen - but my shape hasn't changed at ALL. I expected to be a swollen version of my new shape, if that makes sense. Instead, I still have stomach fat the abruptly ends an inch below my belly button. Trying to be optimistic, but I keep tearing up on and off and feeling like I just threw $6,500 away. :( I'll update with more pictures as more time passes.Updated on 29 Apr 2017: Only 1 liter/1000 cc of fat and fluid were removed during surgeryUpdated on 1 May 2017: Still no noticeable difference :( Feeling really bummed.Updated on 4 May 2017: Still absolutely no noticeable difference whatsoever. I am REALLY hoping I'm just an abnormally swollen patient. Most people are swollen versions of their new shape. My shape hasn't changed at all.Updated on 7 May 2017: My stomach feels hard-- as if there's a tough foam board under my skin or something. Nothing alarming or painful, though. Also, the bruising is slowly going away and everything is turning a gross yellow color. Still no noticeable difference shape-wise.Updated on 9 May 2017: It may be hard to tell from this picture, but my stomach is still painfully swollen. My old stretch marks sometimes pop out like veins and my belly button is pretty much swollen shut. Also, my stomach is pretty malleable. Wearing anything but stretchy athletic shorts and pants makes my stomach makes my stomach SUPER bumpy/wavy. Can't wait for this period to be done so I can exercise and take hot baths again. Updated on 13 May 2017: It's difficult to tell, but my stomach is finally flattening out. My old clothes are starting to fit more comfortably-- I've especially noticed this with my jeans. DEFINITELY want/need to have lipo on my flanks for everything to truly look proportional though. Feeling hopeful!Updated on 1 Jun 2017: Stomach is less swollen and flatter in the very center, but I still think the doctor completely left out my upper abs and obliques. No differences in those areas at all. I am relatively pleased with my lower ab results though.

Doctor was not the friendliest as other posts suggested it, I did enjoy that he tried not to up-sale me. Sometimes that's a bit refreshing, regardless, I did notice his actual services are overpriced. I went in for a gummy smile procedure, no result whatsoever, got a similar answer from another post " come in and pay for another syringe of botox" I'm 26...why didn't it work?. Reception is nice!

I had bad experience with this doctor he is very rude during my second consultation he told me to get out of his clinic because I was asking him questions about his suggested treatment, he didn’t like this and in a rude way he asked me to go out off his clinic. I’m happy I didn’t do any procedure at his clinic

The staff and receptionist were all very kind, but I didn't like the doctor himself. He rubbed me the wrong way. I paid $400 for filler injections in two tiny smile lines as per the doctor's recommendation. There were 2 syringe size options, and he said for my lines I only needed the smallest size. So, since he's the professional, I trusted him. They force you to do a consultation which was overall just belittling. Basically the doctor telling you that the results you want are unrealistic when you know full well that they could easily do it in America, no questions asked. Lol. Not to mention, after the doctor refuses me several treatment options, he has the audacity to recommend me to remove a freckle that I have on my nose and am perfectly happy with. Like, ok, you have someone come into your office and you tell them there's nothing you can do for their actual concerns and then point out flaws that they actually weren't insecure about. Great tactics. So, I got his recommended injections. 5 days later, when the swelling was completely gone, there was NO result. At all. Still had the wrinkles, still had the cracking makeup. So, I politely called them and told them I hadn't received any result. Their response? "well, if you want more of a result, come in and buy another syringe". Um, what? I bought the syringe size you told me would be sufficient to achieve the results I wanted. Now you're telling? me I need to buy more because you messed up? I paid $400 for nothing.

I initially sought this doctor because he was "foreigner friendly" and studied in the US. What I really hoped for was a doctor that was warm and open like most US doctors— where they engage in conversation or are open to questions. Instead, I was met with a rushed consultation. No "hello". No "my name is Dr ______". No "how are u today?". The nurse consulted with him about my desire for surgery. He looked me over, said a couple things, and then walked out. My next appointment for instructions to prep for surgery, I obviously had questions. I was met with resistance and he looked incredibly annoyed with me. I believe I asked about 3 questions. Before I even got my last question out, he already had his back turned and was heading out. Very dismissive! After that, I made my decision to take my money and surgery elsewhere where I'm appreciated and respected. It just so happen that I went to a different doctor that unbeknownst to me was fluent in English! He had a heart of gold. He allowed me to ask as many questions as possible. And when I was done, he asked me if I had any more questions. He even personally emailed me after my surgery to be sure I was doing okay and asked if I had questions. That is what makes a good doctor a great doctor. It's too bad the nurses aren't the doctor. The nurses are beyond kind, attentive, and thorough. I love them! I will continue to see the nurses for small laser-type procedures, but I will never trust that doctor with my health, anesthesia, or recovery. No thanks. The whole "foreigner friendly–studied in the US" is a sales tactic. There are friendlier Japanese doctors around. If anything, hire a translator that will work for you and help you.

i would not recommend Plaza Clinic to any one i have tried them, the doctor Robert Katsuhiro Kure is very rude especially with foreigners and he dose not like many questions to be asked by the patient he gets angry if you ask about the treatment and the details even he said to me (the patient) i'm not comfort with you because of my questions and i should accept his prescription without asking and he said i go by book concerning the treatment .

Hey my name is Tee. I am 5'9, 164 lbs, 38-29-40. About a year an a half ago I was 5'9, 143lbs , 36-25-38... I was told it was my thyroid. After completing radioactive treatment and pills I am what they say "cured?"now and my body looks jacked up! Smh. I'm a Marine Corp Vet. so I am not shy to work out or for a little bit of work out pain... But I have realized that my target areas are just not going away... My midsection has become more of a rectangle, nothing like it was before. I've tried almost everything; EPX, Herbal life, dieting, and starving. Any way I moved to Okinawa Japan with my husband less then three weeks ago. I am really interested in anyone's story who has had liposuction or a liposculpture procedures by Dr. K or any other Dr. In the Okinawa area. And roughly how much was it in $ not yen. Please and thank you.

Agree with the comments here and still looking for a good doctor in tokyo area. I consulted him for having fillers and recommendations about skin problems. In the waiting room the first thing they did was giving me flyers about the products they sell and even a book written by the doctor HIMSELF about botox benefits. The book was called something like 'botox: the solution to my problems'. I was a bit shocked, this approach made me feel like in the supermarket. Then the doctor received me. While i was talking he was writing and talking to his assistant or replying briefly in a very agressive way, he said that the products i had by the past were not good, and gave me some other flyers about the products he wanted to use (while products were almost the same, just brand is different..). He was interrupting me all the time and lost totally his patience after 10mn, Finishing all sentences with 'That s all? That s all?'. He looked so annoyed when i was asking questions, I have NEVER seen that with other doctors, and actually people working at convenient store are nicer. Plastic surgeons make a lot of benefits with fillers as the products they use cost almost nothing. The minimum is being attentive and patient with questions even If it lasts more than 10mn. I have NEVER seen this type of rude behaviour before with the other doctors i consulted in Europe. I was really up to give my money To have filler Again but this man demotivated me completely! May be i has something with foreigners that ask questions, i dont know.

Doctor Kure was the rudest, most unprofessional person I have met, I thought at first he is only treating me badly because I'm a foreigner in Japan, he would basically interrupt me every time I say something to tell me that I'm not using the right medical words to explain my procedure, he didn't give me any information about the procedure, and he was also very rude to his staff. At one point during my appointment, while finally he was in the middle of explaining the procedure, he just got up and left the office which was the end of it.