“Patient-Reported Satisfaction and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Augmentation: A follow-up of six months”

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the success of a breast augmentation, it is essential to measure outcomes from the patient perspective since a successful aesthetic result is especially determined by the patient. This study aimed to evaluate patient-reported satisfaction with their breasts, psychosocial, physical, and sexual well-being in patients undergoing breast augmentation using validated questionnaires. Methods: This is a multicenter cohort study based on ongoing routinely-collected data. Patient-reported satisfaction and health-related quality of life were assessed with the BREAST-Q Augmentation Module at intake and six months postoperatively. Results: A total of 1405 patients were included. Large changes in BREAST-Q scores (range, 0-100) between intake and six months postoperatively were seen: satisfaction with their breasts (mean, effect size: +57, 3.8), psychosocial well-being (+38, 2.1), physical well-being (-14, -1.2), and sexual well-being (+44, 2.4). Moreover, improvements in all four scales were not dependent on their intake scores and all postoperative scores reached similar levels. A decreased physical well-being of the chest was measured post-surgery. The satisfaction with the breasts scale correlated moderately to strongly with the psychosocial and sexual well-being scale 6 months post-surgery. Subgroup analysis based on patient characteristics found no differences in outcomes, except for BMI. Conclusion: Significant improvement in patient-reported satisfaction with their breasts, psychosocial, and sexual well-being can be seen six months after breast augmentation despite a declined physical well-being after treatment. Postoperative satisfaction levels do not depend on preoperative scores. These insights can contribute to improve preoperative communication between surgeon and patient regarding the expected outcomes.