Improvement in quality of life and self-esteem after breast reduction surgery.
BACKGROUND
Breast reduction surgery is sought by patients who have physical and psychological symptoms. This study assessed the quality of life and self-esteem before and after breast reduction surgery.


METHODS
Thirty patients with a diagnosis of mammary hypertrophy who were consecutively selected to undergo breast reduction and aged between 18 and 54 years (mean = 32.65 years, SD = 9.87) participated in the study. Diagnosis was performed by breast measurements associated with symptoms related to excessive breast size. Patients completed the SF-36 Quality of Life Inventory and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale before the procedure and 30 and 120 days after surgery. The nonparametric sign test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
There was significant improvement (p < or = 0.05) in all domains of quality of life and in self-esteem when scores before and after surgery were compared.


CONCLUSIONS
Both self-esteem and quality of life significantly improved after breast reduction surgery.
Mello
Arnaldo A
AA
FAMERP Medical School and FUNFARME Hospital de Base, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo 15090 000, Brazil.
Domingos
Neide A M
NA
Miyazaki
M Cristina
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult