(HealthDay News) — Women who have cosmetic surgery after breast reconstruction are often motivated by a desire to improve body image, according to a study presented at Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, held from Oct. 11 to 15 in San Diego.
Vivian M. Hsu, M.D., from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and colleagues analyzed surveys from 42 women who had breast reconstruction and subsequent cosmetic surgery regarding the influences and impact of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
The researchers found that patients had 52 cosmetic procedures, including 33.3% liposuction, 19.0% facelift, and 11.9% blepharoplasty. The desire to improve self-image was cited by 61.9% of women as the reason for having cosmetic surgery.
Continue Reading
Body image satisfaction significantly improved after cosmetic surgery, and was more likely among those whose body image had already improved after breast reconstruction (odds ratio, 17.83) and among those interested in cosmetic surgery prior to reconstruction (odds ratio, 22.63).
“The decision of breast reconstruction patients to undergo cosmetic surgery appears to be influenced mostly by a desire to improve overall self-image,” Hsu and colleagues conclude.
