Frequently asked questions about breast surgery

This page lists frequently asked questions and Dr Schiettecatte's answers to them. Dr Schiettecatte is your attending plastic surgeon in Kliniek Veldhoven.

Dr Schiettecatte will discuss with you prior to the breast correction how your wishes can be realised. Request a free consultation now. After the consultation, you will receive a customised quote.

What does breast surgery cost?

Prices of breast surgery vary from clinic to clinic. On this page you will find indicative prices for each type of treatment. For a price offer, please contact Dr Schiettecatte preferably at Kliniek Veldhoven. You will find an up-to-date and complete overview of all prices on their websites.

For more information on treatments, see the pages Breast augmentation, Breast reduction, Breast lift.

Will my health insurance cover breast surgery?

A breast reduction may be reimbursed by your insurer. We will apply for this for you on the day of the first consultation through a special software programme. Other breast operations are not reimbursed.

Does breast surgery hurt?

The operation itself takes place under general anaesthesia, so you will not feel any pain during the operation. After the anaesthetic takes effect, you will have sore breasts for one to two weeks. For this, you will be given pain relief in the form of paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or a similar painkiller.

How long do the results last?

The result is influenced by a number of factors. First, your skin type determines the durability of the result. Sunbathing, smoking and weight loss can also have an adverse effect. If you live healthily, do not sunbathe and smoke or smoke in moderation, you will enjoy your breast surgery for at least five to a maximum of 10 years.

Should I lose weight before my breast surgery?

Breast surgery requires a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 30. This number represents the ratio of your height to your weight. You calculate your BMI as follows:

BMI = weight in kilograms (in pounds) / (your height x your length (in metres))

Example: suppose you weigh 65 kilos and are 1.70 metres tall. Your BMI is then:

65 / (1,70 x 1,70) = 22,5

Or use the BMI meter on the Nutrition Centre's site.

Will I have scars from the surgery?

Yes. However, Dr Schiettecatte will place them as much as possible in a place that is not visible, or make them almost invisible.

How do you determine which breast size best suits my body?

To determine the best breast size, Dr Schiettecatte looks at your own breast and hip width with you. In front of the mirror, you will look together at which breast size suits you best. For breast enlargement, test prostheses are used. For breast reduction, the new size is drawn on your skin. This simulation gives you a good impression of the possible result in advance. On the day of the consultation, please bring along pictures of what you like. Dr Schiettecatte will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.

How many cup sizes can my breasts be enlarged/reduced?

For a safe and responsible surgery, Dr Schiettecatte will enlarge or reduce your breasts to a maximum of two cup sizes. From three cup sizes onwards, the risk of wound problems and infections is significantly higher.

How much does a breast implant weigh?

The weight of a breast prosthesis is 300 cc, which is about 300 grams.

Do enlarged breasts look natural?

Yes and no, it depends on the volume and how the implants are placed.

Should I wear a special bra after my breast augmentation?

Yes, for the first six weeks after your surgery, you will wear a sports bra day and night. This way, the implants will stabilise in your body and not move around.

What kind of material are breast implants made of?

Dr Schiettecatte uses the most modern and reliable breast implants. They are made of cohesive silicone gel. Advantages of this type of implant are that they look, feel and move naturally and cannot leak.

Can an implant move under my skin?

No. However, you can sometimes feel the edges.

Can my breast implant leak?

No, even if cracks were to appear in the implant shell, silicone breast cannot leak. However, silicone bleeding is possible (see next question).

What is silicone bleeding?

Silicone bleeding is the phenomenon where your breast implants 'sweat out' substances into your body. This does not occur in everyone. It can be compared to catheters or infusions inserted into a body, which can also sweat out substances.

Can my breast prostheses fuse with my own tissue?

The old breast implants, which were filled with liquid gel and could leak, could fuse with your body tissue. With the new breast implants, this is no longer the case.

Can my breasts also be enlarged with my own fat instead of implants?

You can. We call this a 'natural' or 'hybrid' breast augmentation, a 'breast augmentation with lipofilling', or in English 'composite breast augmentation'. Dr Schiettecatte also performs this type of breast augmentation surgery. For the most beautiful result, he places a small round prosthesis under the skin in addition to your body's own fat. This reduces the risk of the fat not staying in place and gives your breasts the most beautiful shape. With the fat, wrinkles and 'dents' in the breast can be camouflaged, the breast moves more naturally and feels warmer.

I would like to have slimmer buttocks and also bigger breasts. Can my buttock fat be used for my breasts?

This is indeed possible in many situations, especially when it comes to the so-called 'saddlebag'. Also read the answer to the previous question.

Do implants have a maximum shelf life? Should I ever have them replaced?

The implants used by Dr Schiettecatte can last a lifetime. However, it is advisable to have them checked by a plastic surgeon after 18 to 20 years.