title: Is reduction mammaplasty a stimulus for weight loss and improved quality of life?
abstract: Reducing breast size for women with macromastia does more than provide symptomatic relief. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether reduction mammaplasty was felt to be a stimulus for postoperative weight loss, subjective glucose control, and improved self-confidence. All patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty at Emory University Hospital by the senior author were reviewed. Patient demographics were queried, and a standardized questionnaire was devised to obtain information regarding postoperative weight, dress size, glucose control, and exercise. Forty-one women participated in the questionnaire. Mean follow-up was 2 years (range, 1-6). Patients were stratified according to whether they felt reduction mammaplasty was a stimulus for future weight loss; 63% stated yes (group A), 37% responded no (group B). Group A had significant postoperative weight loss (P < 0.001) and decreased dress size (P < 0.001). Group B had no change in weight (P = 0.239) or dress size (P = 0.735). There was 100% improvement of patient reported postoperative glucose control in group A and 50% improvement in group B. Sexual activity was improved in 85% of women in group A, and only 40% in group B. Group A patients had significantly increased postoperative exercise (P < 0.001); group B had no change. Reduction mammaplasty in motivated patients may be a stimulus for postoperative weight loss, and those patients were more physically active, had better glucose control and had an improved self-confidence.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ximena A
authors.initials: XA
authors.lastname: Pinell
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Losken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000601:surgery; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose