[Evaluation of the psychological benefits of breast augmentation for aesthetic purposes. Results of a multicenter prospective study of a series of 181 patients].

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic breast augmentation is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable to women in France. This prospective and multicenter study aims to investigate whether breast augmentation surgery for aesthetic purposes leads to improved body image, self-esteem, depression problems and sexuality. We also sought to analyze the sociodemographic profile of woman who underwent this surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in France, from March 2009 to March 2011. One hundred and eighty-one patients were included in the survey. We used questionnaires to analyze body image, self-esteem, sexuality, depression, motivations and the sociodemographic profile of the patients before surgery and 6 months after. Questionnaires that were answered were returned in an anonymous way to the investigators to guarantee a blinded survey.

RESULTS: The findings showed that women who underwent breast augmentation were mostly employed, married and aged between 20 and 30 years. Analyses revealed a significant improvement in body image, self-esteem and depressive symptoms, 6 months after surgery. Correlations between body image and self-esteem and between depression and self-esteem were also demonstrated. Only sexuality was almost unchanged after the procedure. Finally, a change of body image induced by breast augmentation surgery would improve self-esteem and thus reduce the signs for a depression.

CONCLUSION: As with any request for aesthetic surgery, the desire for morphological breast surgery must be analyzed accurately and requires very thorough questioning by the plastic surgeon. The expected result is not only morphological but also psychological, as outlined in our study. The goal of breast augmentation surgery is to create a physical result that matches the expected body image in order to improve the patient's body image and self-esteem and so, bring the patient to recognize herself. Under these conditions, cosmetic breast augmentation surgery will assume a therapeutic function.