Dr. Laura Zaal
A plastic surgeon for women in every stage of life
A woman’s body changes throughout her life. By nature, after pregnancy, through weight loss, during menopause, and with age. These changes are normal, but they can leave a woman no longer quite recognizing herself in her own body.
As a plastic surgeon I believe that cosmetic surgery is not about changing who you are, but about restoring balance and confidence. With attention to your story, your stage of life, and your personal wishes, I look with you for a natural result that suits who you are.
My particular expertise lies in breast surgery and body contouring. Breasts are my great passion within plastic surgery: from breast augmentation and breast lift to breast reduction, removing or replacing breast implants, and lipofilling. I also perform body corrections such as tummy tucks, liposuction, and other cosmetic treatments.
By specializing, I believe I can offer women the best possible care and results. I combine extensive surgical experience with a personal approach, in which honest advice and realistic expectations always come first.
A particular focus within my breast and body surgery is guiding women during and after menopause. In this stage of life, hormonal changes can strongly affect breast shape, skin quality, and body contours. My knowledge of these changes lets me advise women specifically about the options that suit their body, their age, and their personal wishes.
I also guide a growing number of women after significant weight loss, including weight loss with the help of GLP-1 medication. After losing weight, it is not only the number on the scale that changes but often the shape of the body as well: breasts can lose volume and skin can slacken. With breast corrections and body contouring, I help women bring their new shape back into balance.
In brief
- 1999: medical degree cum laude, University of Amsterdam
- 2009: PhD from the University of Amsterdam
- 18+ years: Velthuiskliniek, a leader in cosmetic care
- Innovative: developer of the recovery program, the Femina bra and the MRI follow-up program
Expertise and innovation
Alongside my clinical work, I am actively involved in innovation within breast surgery. I developed a specific recovery program for dual plane breast augmentations, aimed at less pain, faster recovery, and a natural feel of the breasts after surgery.
I also developed an MRI follow-up program for women with breast implants, because good monitoring and long-term care are an important part of safe breast implant care. In addition, I developed my own postoperative bra, out of my attention to recovery and comfort after breast surgery.
Education and scientific background
After my gymnasium education I studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam (AMC), where I obtained my medical degree cum laude in 1999. I completed my training as a plastic surgeon at the Isala Klinieken in Zwolle in 2007.
During my training I already focused on cosmetic surgery. After my training I worked as a staff member and plastic surgeon at the University Medical Center Utrecht. Since 2008 I have worked at Velthuiskliniek, where I guide women through cosmetic breast and body corrections.
In 2009 I obtained my PhD at the University of Amsterdam with research into congenital birthmarks. I have published several scientific articles in international medical journals, among other things on silicone breast implants.
My vision
A woman’s body changes throughout her life. My passion is to understand those changes and to guide women toward a result that suits their body, their stage of life, and their wishes.
To me, cosmetic surgery is not a change of who you are, but a chance to come back into balance with yourself. With honest advice, personal attention, and a natural approach.
Board positions
During my specialty training as a plastic surgeon I was a board member of the Junior Association of Plastic Surgery (JVPC) from 2003 to 2007. I have also been active on the congress committee of the Dutch Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NVEPC). From 2010 to 2017 I was secretary of the NVEPC, the national society for aesthetic plastic surgery. That made me its youngest board member to date and its first female board member.
Memberships
I am a member of the leading plastic surgery societies, such as the Dutch Society for Plastic Surgery (NVPC), the Dutch Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NVEPC), and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).