The psychic consequences of a reduction mammaplasty

Abstract

We studied 8 consecutive patients who had reduction mammaplasties to determine their psychological reactions. All 8 experienced pleasure with the operative results and the improvement or disappearance of their physical symptoms. Most described a general increase in self-esteem. In 5 of the 8 patients, however, there were postoperative emotional disturbances directly related to the operation, lasting from 3 weeks to 8 months. None of these would have been noted by the plastic surgeon (JMG)hand this study not been in progress.