Today in clinic I had a patient ask me, “Will my body image improve after breast augmentation?”  Let me explore this interesting question a little bit.

Dissatisfaction with body image is a key motivator for cosmetic surgery.  Evidence suggests that women seeking breast augmentation are more dissatisfied with their breasts than similar women not seeking the procedure.  There is a a recent publication by Murphy et al. that looks to answer the question that my patient posed.  This study used the Body Esteem Scale and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale to evaluate patients up to 6 years after their implantation.  The study found significant improvement in the women’s scores for sexual attractiveness, physical condition, improved self image, social relations, and daily living following breast augmentation.  These improvements were maintained by the vast majority of the women through the 6 years of the study. 

This study (and my experience) supports the fact that their is a measurable improvement in body image following breast augmentation.  So to answer my patient:  Yes, there is an improvement in the vast majority of women.

Here is the preoperative photograph of a woman who felt that she had never developed the same way that her mother had.  She wanted a breast augmentation that would help her fill out certain fashions.  The picture is shown with a cover to help show the improvement in volume within a garment. 

Here is the postoperative photograph using the same cover.  There is improvement in the appearance of the breast within this garment. 

This patient, as is typical with the majority of women, experienced a significant improvement in her body self image following her breast augmentation. 

Our websites www.beauty-surgeon.com and www.drmckane.com have  additional information and before and after photographs of breast augmentation for review.  I invite you to schedule a consultation with me if you would like to learn more about breast augmentation or body image following aesthetic procedures.  Please feel free to contact our office at (713) 661-5255 if you have any questions.

-Brice W. McKane, M.D.

© 2009, Dr. McKane. All rights reserved.