Open up the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and you’ll find an article in which researchers identify 6 factors related to breast surgery that have a profound impact on patient satisfaction and quality of life.

A similar article titled “Satisfaction and quality of life in women who undergo breast surgery: A qualitative study” is available on Biomed Central. Here’s a brief summary of those 6 factors as they relate to breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast reconstruction:

1. Satisfaction With Breast Characteristics
This is clearly the main goal of any elective breast surgery.  Participants of the study commented about improvements in breast shape and the clothing options that were now available to them as a result.  One patient with breast implants comments, “I have really nice voluptuous, rounded, normal-sized perky breasts and I am sooo happy with them.”

2. Improved Physical Well-Being
Breast reduction patients can get relief from back and neck pain, which often allows increased activity and better health.

3. Improved Psychological and Social Well-Being
Patients in the study shared the positive changes in self perception and experiences in social settings. Increased confidence and feeling as if you fit the perceived “norm” of the female body are said to be a common benefits of breast surgery.

4. Improved Sexual Well Being
Enhancements in breast shape and size can bring improvements in sexual pleasure, largely because it alleviates “negative feelings about the breasts” that often cause women to feel less attractive.

5.  A Positive Surgery Experience
Women who experienced a good surgeon-patient relationship – with open, honest communication – expressed more satisfaction with breast surgery.  Patients who had an adverse relationship with the surgeon or staff reported being fearful, uncomfortable, and less satisfied.

6. Overall Satisfaction
Researchers also included the simple category of general satisfaction.  Would you undergo the surgery again?  One breast augmentation patient responds, “there is not one day that goes by that I am not so pleased that I did it.”

Sculptra was recently featured on the NBC Today Show “Today’s Health” segment. After a treatment demonstration and some patient testimonials, Dr. Roshini Raj of the NYU school of medicine appears on the show to explain the details on Sculptra treatment. She covers the advantages and disadvantages of Sculptra and compares the filler to Botox.

Sculptra was recently FDA approved for cosmetic use. While the wrinkle filler has been used off-label in cosmetic applications for a long time, the recent FDA clearance has spawned a renewed interest of the drug in the cosmetic surgery industry and in the media. At Boston Plastic Surgery, we routinely use Sculptra to treat a wide range of facial imperfections.