If you thought breast augmentation surgery was all about vanity, think again. Researchers have found that breast size can have a significant impact on a woman’s mental health, profoundly affecting her self-esteem and in some cases leading to issues such as eating disorders.
Do you lack confidence due to your breast size or shape? If so, you are not alone.
Research
Dr Brian I. Labow, ASPS Member Surgeon of Boston Children’s Hospital conducted a study* published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery looking at how women are affected by having asymmetrical breasts.
A total of 59 women aged between 12 and 21 who had asymmetrical breasts were asked to answer a survey as well as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Eating Attitudes Test. Similar tests were carried out on a group of girls without breast asymmetry. The tests were design to ascertain how well the comparison groups functioned psychologically and socially.
Psychological and emotional impact
The women with different sized breasts had significantly lower scores for emotional wellbeing and self-esteem than the control group. They also had borderline issues with social functioning, eating behaviours and attitudes.
Breast asymmetry affects more than half of all women and Dr Labow concludes it is more than simply a “cosmetic issue”. In fact, it can have negative psychological and emotional effects.
Body dysmorphic disorder is a recognised mental health condition whereby a person spends a lot of time fixating on flaws in their appearance. While these flaws may be unnoticeable to others they assume a huge significance in that person’s life. This condition is taken very seriously by doctors as it can lead to depression, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.
As consultant plastic surgeons we see at first hand how dissatisfaction with breasts can present significant body image issues to women – and to men, although to a lesser extent.
Feeling “normal” and feminine
Micromastia is a condition whereby the breasts fail to develop normally, leading to a flat-chested appearance. This may affect a woman’s feelings of femininity which, in turn, can impact her confidence and self-esteem.
Women with breasts that are significantly smaller or larger than average, or that are asymmetrical, can sometimes feel they are not “normal”. In many cases surgery is not about making them feel more beautiful. Rather it is about making them feel like they fit in.
Most popular cosmetic procedures for breasts
Breast augmentation is the top procedure in the US, with nearly 300,000 women opting for it ever year.
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), in 2017, 8,238 women in the UK had surgery to increase their breast size. This was an increase of 7% since 2016.
As well as correcting asymmetrical breasts or increasing small breasts, women may choose to have surgery to lift sagging breasts due to childbirth, changes in weight and ageing. This procedure is known as a breast uplift.
Lifting sagging breasts can restore a more youthful appearance. Some women have reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy too.
It’s about loving your body image
Breast surgery is about giving women a sense of normality that they may never had had, improving poor self-image and boosting confidence. In turn, this may help to head off more serious mental health problems.
Better body image can lead to increased self-worth and improved sexual satisfaction. Breasts are often associated with femininity and after breast surgery women often say they feel more feminine and confident sexually.
“Having my breast augmentation has changed my life rapidly. I absolutely love it. I am very confident and so happy.” MM Feb 2016.
Read the full story of our happy patient here.
[*] Cerrato FE, DiVasta AD, Faulkner HR et al. Psychological Impact of Breast Asymmetry on Adolscents: A Prospective Cohort Study. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2014.
