Change in self-image pressure level before and after autologous fat breast augmentation and its effect on social adaptability

Abstract

BACKGROUND

There is an increasingly strong demand for appearance and physical beauty in social life, marriage, and other aspects with the development of society and the improvement of material living standards. An increasing number of people have improved their appearance and physical shape through aesthetic plastic surgery. The female breast plays a significant role in physical beauty, and droopy or atrophied breasts can frequently lead to psychological inferiority and lack of confidence in women. This, in turn, can affect their mental health and quality of life.

AIM

To analyze preoperative and postoperative self-image pressure-level changes of autologous fat breast augmentation patients and their impact on social adaptability.

METHODS

We selected 160 patients who underwent autologous fat breast augmentation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 using random sampling method. The general information, self-image pressure level, and social adaptability of the patients were investigated using a basic information survey, body image self-assessment scale, and social adaptability scale. The self-image pressure-level changes and their effects on the social adaptability of patients before and after autologous fat breast augmentation were analyzed.

RESULTS

We collected 142 valid questionnaires. The single-factor analysis results showed no statistically significant difference in the self-image pressure level and social adaptability score of patients with different ages, marital status, and monthly income. However, there were significant differences in social adaptability among patients with different education levels and employment statuses. The correlation analysis results revealed a significant correlation between the self-image pressure level and social adaptability score before and after surgery. Multiple factors analysis results showed that the degree of concern caused by appearance in self-image pressure, the degree of possible behavioral intervention, the related distress caused by body image, and the influence of body image on social life influenced the social adaptability of autologous fat breast augmentation patients.

CONCLUSION

The self-image pressure on autologous fat breast augmentation patients is inversely proportional to their social adaptability.

Keywords: Autologous fat breast augmentation surgery; Self-image stress level; Social adaptability; Analysis of correlation; Structural equation model

Core Tip: We selected a random clinical sample for a questionnaire survey of patients undergoing autologous fat breast augmentation. A body image disturbance questionnaire and Self-report Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale were used to evaluate the self-image stress level and social adaptability of the patients, and a validity test of the questionnaire showed that it had high reliability. The results of the questionnaire showed that the preoperative self-image stress level and social adaptability score of the patients were generally high, and there was a correlation between the two. The self-image pressure was relieved, and the social maladjustment was significantly reduced.