Relationship of augmentation mammoplasty with peculiarities of self-perception and quality of life level

Objective. To study the impact of augmentation mammoplasty on some aspects of body image-related quality of life, motivation and self-esteem.

Materials and methods. Seventeen women were surveyed 6-14 months after augmentation mammoplasty using the BIQLI and ASI-R questionnaires.

Results. The aspects of body image-related quality of life associated with physical activity and desire to change one's appearance were higher in younger people with lower body weight. The volume of installed breast implants was inversely proportional to the feeling of confidence and happiness in everyday life (R = –0.6). The larger was the volume of implants, the less was the responsibility for life events (R = –0.8). In the long-term period after mammoplasty, a subjective level of the quality of life increased in 53 %, on average by 0.2 (p>0.05), significantly – only for the motivation scale and the question "feelings of personal dignity and self-respect". Negative dynamics was found for the following aspects: "When I meet new people", "At work (study)" and "Relationships with friends", for all other answers – positive one. The older the patients were, the more attention they paid to their appearance (R = –0.7) and compared themselves with the others (R = –0.6), thought about what the others think about their appearance (R = 0,6), more often thought about how they look like in different situations (R = 0.6).

Conclusions. Preoperative studying of motivation allows more differentially determining the indications for surgery and risk of postoperative dissatisfaction. Augmentation mammoplasty often improves the body image-related quality of life, motivation and self-esteem.