title: Improvement in quality of life and self-esteem after breast reduction surgery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: FAMERP Medical School and FUNFARME Hospital de Base, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo 15090 000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnaldo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Neide A M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Domingos
authors.forename: M Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
mesh_terms: 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