Body Image and Quality of Life after Breast Implant Removal

Abstract

Background Silicone breast implants were introduced into the surgical practice in the 1960s and have been widely used ever since, but with a decreasing percentage in aesthetic surgeries and with an increase in breast explant surgeries. The objective of the present study was to evaluate body image and quality of life before and after breast implant removal.

Materials and Methods The BREAST-Q questionnaire and the Breast Evaluation Questionnaire were applied pre- and postoperatively to 11 patients undergoing breast implant removal.

Results The BREAST-Q, with a score ranging from 0 to 100, revealed that satisfaction with the breasts increased from 52.3 to 64.3, and the mean satisfaction with the outcome was of 85.9. According to the Breast Evaluation Questionnaire, with a score ranging from 1 to 5, satisfaction with the appearance of the breasts increased from 3.0 to 3.8.

Conclusion The study suggests improved body image after breast implant removal, but further data is required to draw relevant conclusions.

Keywords

body image - breast implants - mastodynia - quality of life - surgery - plastic

Authors' Contributions

RBF: data analysis and/or interpretation, statistical analysis, data collection, conceptualization, study conception and design, project management, methodology, and writing – preparation of the original manuscript; EMM: Data collection, investigation, and writing – preparation of the original manuscript; MMM: data collection and writing – preparation of the original manuscript; WC-J: data analysis and/or interpretation final manuscript approval, project management, writing – manuscript review and editing, sand upervision; AAF: data analysis and/or interpretation, final manuscript approval, study conception and design, writing – preparation of the original manuscript, writing – manuscript review and editing, and supervision; and AWC and JAC: supervision.

Publication History

Received: 03 October 2023

Accepted: 29 September 2024

Article published online:
10 February 2025

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