title: Disparity between reported and measured patient weight: can it affect planning in breast reduction surgery?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient weights are frequently used in surgery for essential calculations including preoperative surgical planning, dosing of medications, and qualification for insurance reimbursement. Often, there is a disparity between patient-reported and actual measured weights. This study examines differences between self-reported and measured weights and implications in breast reduction surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review was performed of 197 consecutive women who presented for breast surgery at an academic institution. Self-reported weights were recorded during the initial encounter, and the patients were subsequently weighed on the same day. A paired t-test was used to compare the self-reported and actual measured weights and stratified analysis performed based on body mass index (BMI). The Schnur sliding scale was used to estimate resection weights for reduction mammaplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean difference in reported and measured weight was 3.0 lbs standard deviation (SD) 8.9 (P < 0.0001) with a maximum overestimation of 25 lb and underestimation of 80 lb. Statistically significant differences were found when stratified analysis was performed based on BMI as mean differences in the overweight (BMI 25-30) and obese (BMI > 30) groups were 1.7 lb SD 5.5 (P < 0.026) and 4.9 lbs SD 11.8 (P < 0.0002), respectively. Significant differences in calculated breast reduction resection weights, based on the Schnur sliding scale, were also found when comparing self-reported and measured weights in all groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant disparities between self-reported and measured weights were identified in patients presenting for breast surgery. These differences can influence important calculations of resection weights for breast reduction surgery. These differences may also affect dosing of medications and preoperative planning.
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Nguyen
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Christina R
authors: CR
authors: Vargas
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Danielle J
authors: DJ
authors: Chuang
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: blee3@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors: Bernard T
authors: BT
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Breast reduction; Patient weights; Preoperative planning; Weight disparities