A recent study published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), indicates that women who have had breast augmentation surgery report substantial improvement in several areas of quality of life.
The study, headed by Dr. Colleen McCarthy of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York developed and evaluated a questionnaire, called the
BREAST-Q, ®, which looked at health related quality of life issues following breast implant surgery..
The study examined the satisfaction with the breasts following surgery, psychosocial, sexual and physical well-being and satisfaction with the care that they received. The study involved 41 women who answered the questionnaire six months prior to breast augmentation surgery and six months following the surgery.
The results showed significant improvement in 3 of the 6 areas. Using a 0- 100 point scale, the group results indicated an increase from 27 to 70 in the satisfaction with their breasts, from 45 to 78 for psychosocial well-being and from 35-72 for sexual well-being. Over 80 percent of women reported “significant improvement” in satisfaction in these three areas. The gains in quality of life post breast augmentation surgery were considered to be very large.
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States, with more than 300,000 women opting for implants in 2011. For women who are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their breasts, the study indicates that quality of life changes are possible following breast augmentation in the areas of self-perceived attractiveness and sexuality.
It is the hope of the authors of the study that the BREAST-Q® can help provide “tangible evidence” of patient satisfaction as well as improving communication between surgeons and their patients regarding anticipated results.
For more information about breast augmentation or to schedule a consultation, please call Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steven Ringler at 616.328.8800
