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Psychological effects of aesthetic surgical breast procedures

A preliminary report

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Summary

This research program is concerned with the psychological effect of the mammary reduction and augmentation, both on cosmetic indications. 31 reduction patients and 25 augmentation patients were interviewed with a biographic questionnaire, a personality questionnaire and an attitude measurement scale. Except for the biographic questionnaire these instruments were administered twice: before and after the operation. The resulting data were compared with those of two control groups. It is concluded that women who want to be operated on their breasts on cosmetic indications are normal persons. Not being happy with the shape of their breasts is their only psychosocial characteristic. This unhappiness is eliminated after the operation.

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This paper was read at the third Congress of the European Section of the International Plastic and Reconstructive Society on May 25, 1977 in the Hague.

The author wishes to thank Prof. Dr. A.J.C. Huffstadt, Groningen for his kind cooperation.

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Groenman, N.H. Psychological effects of aesthetic surgical breast procedures. Chir Plastica 4, 95–101 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264542

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264542

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