Validated survey reveals high satisfaction and improved quality
of life after breast augmentation
New York, NY (February 7, 2013) – A recent study suggests that women who
have breast augmentation procedures report higher satisfaction not only with the
overall appearance of their breasts, but in their physical, sexual and
psychosocial well-being as well. The researchers also found that overall
satisfaction with breast augmentation was most strongly correlated with breast
appearance satisfaction. In addition, there was no correlation between overall
satisfaction and physical well-being, suggesting that patients may be willing to
tolerate a small amount of temporary discomfort for an improvement in breast
appearance. The full results of the study, “Analysis of Satisfaction and Well-
Being in the Short Follow-up from Breast Augmentation Using the BREAST-Q, a
Validated Survey Instrument,” appear in the February issue of the Aesthetic
Surgery Journal .
“Although improvements in satisfaction and quality of life after breast
augmentation have been reported in the literature, few studies have used
validated survey instruments. This is one of the first studies to analyze patient-
reported satisfaction and quality of life following breast augmentation using the
BREAST-Q, the only survey instrument for breast augmentation that meets both
federal and international standards for questionnaire development,” said lead
author Michelle Coriddi, MD, of Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State
University in Columbus, Ohio. “In this study, we identified breast appearance
after surgery as a specific factor that correlates with patient satisfaction. This
finding allows plastic surgeons to take steps to improve an already high
satisfaction rate with breast augmentation, such as by focusing on preoperative
counseling to give patients a realistic expectation of their postoperative breast
appearance.”
In this prospective study, patients who underwent augmentation with a single
surgeon between January 2008 and May 2009 anonymously filled out the
validated BREAST-Q survey preoperatively and six weeks after surgery. Data
analysis showed significant postoperative improvements in satisfaction with
breast appearance, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being. A significant
decrease in physical well-being was reported after surgery, but this did not
correlate to any increase or decrease in satisfaction with overall outcomes.
Instead, satisfaction with overall outcomes most strongly correlated to
satisfaction with appearance of breasts, followed by psychosocial and sexual
well-being.
“The ability to demonstrate patient-reported outcomes using a validated survey
instrument like the BREAST-Q is extremely important as we move towards
greater implementation of evidence-based medicine in plastic surgery ,” said
Foad Nahai, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Aesthetic Surgery Journal . “This study shows
that women are indeed very satisfied and have an improved quality of life
following breast augmentation. Moreover, the findings on higher sexual and
psychosocial well-being after surgery clearly demonstrate that breast
augmentation surgery has positive effects extending beyond improvements in
breast appearance.”
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS),
316,848 breast augmentations were performed in 2011, making breast
augmentation the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in women and the
second most popular cosmetic surgery overall.
Augmentation mammoplasty, or breast augmentation, is typically performed to
enlarge small, underdeveloped breasts or breasts that have decreased in size
after a woman has had children. Breast augmentation is accomplished by
surgically inserting an implant behind each breast.
Many women consider undergoing breast implant surgery to enhance the size
and shape of the natural bustline. Breast implants are also commonly used to
restore a breast that has been removed or disfigured as a result of a
mastectomy. A feminine body image is important to many women, and that
includes the appearance of the breasts. In fact, breast implants come in a variety
of sizes, shapes and profiles to achieve a natural-looking physique. Other
important features include the texture of an implant’s shell and the substance that
fills the shell. Implants approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
are filled with saline or silicone which impact the look and feel of a breast implant,
which affect the overall appearance of your breasts.
Am I a good candidate for breast implants?
One or more of the following feelings or conditions may indicate
that you are a good candidate for breast implants:
you have a sense of low self-esteem that your breasts are too small
apparel that fit well around your hips is often too large at the
bustline
you feel self-conscious wearing form-fitting clothing or a swimsuit
your breasts have decreased in size and lost their firmness after
having children
fluctuation in weight has changed the size and shape of your
breasts
asymmetry exists where one of your breasts is noticeably smaller
than the other
Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and your plastic
surgeon to determine your appropriate breast size, the location of incisions, and
whether breast implants will be placed on top of or underneath the chest muscle.
The size, type, and location of your breast implant may be determined by your
goals for breast enhancement, your existing body frame, and mass, your existing
breast tissue, and the preferences you and your plastic surgeon discuss.
Breast augmentation plastic surgery is one of the most common procedures
performed annually by members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery. Women may choose to under go breast enlargement surgery for various
reasons. These personal reasons may center around breasts that are perceived
to be under developed, or because of differences in the sizes of the breasts or
from changes after pregnancy or breast feeding. Some women may be happy
with their breasts but just want them made fuller. Often after weight loss, aging or
childbirth a woman’s breast volume and shape may change. This too can lead to
a woman to seek a breast augmentation. Breast implant surgery performed by
cosmetic plastic surgeons is the most popular way to improve breast shape and
size. Breast enhancement using breast implants can give a woman more
proportional shape and may improve self esteem.
Am I a good candidate for breast augmentation?
One or more of the following feelings or conditions may indicate that you are a
good candidate for breast augmentation:
you are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too small
clothes that fit well around your hips are often too large at the
bustline
you feel self-conscious wearing a swimsuit or form-fitting top
your breasts have become smaller and lost their firmness after
having children
weight loss has changed the size and shape of your breasts
one of your breasts is noticeably smaller than the other
Breast Implant Options for the 21st Century
21st Century
Breast augmentation is designed to increase the size of small or underdeveloped
breasts. Breast surgery can also restore and enhance your breast volume if it
has decreased as a result of pregnancy and breast feeding. In addition, breast
implants can serve one or more of a number of purposes; breast cancer victims
can use breast implants for reconstructive purposes after mastectomy, or women
with asymmetrical breasts may use a single breast implant to balance the
difference in size.
The availability of FDA-approved silicone gel implants will create new options for
women considering breast surgery for the first time and for those who have had
previous surgeries but are seeking new replacements or revision. Now, all
women over 22 years old seeking cosmetic breast augmentation and women
seeking breast reconstruction surgery will be able to select silicone breast
implants.