Women who undergo breast enlargement often see a sizable boost in self-esteem and positive feelings about their sexuality, a University of Florida nurse researcher reports.
Although plastic surgery should not be seen as a panacea for feelings of low self-worth or sexual attractiveness, it is important for health-care practitioners to understand the psychological benefits of these procedures, says Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, a clinical assistant professor at UF’s College of Nursing who conducted the study. The findings — which revealed that for many women, going bigger is better — appear in the current issue of Plastic Surgical Nursing.
“Many individuals, including health-care providers, have preconceived negative ideas about those who elect to have plastic surgery, without fully understanding the benefits that may occur from these procedures,” said Figueroa-Haas, who conducted the study for her doctoral thesis at Barry University in Miami Shores before joining the UF faculty. “This study provides the impetus for future studies related to self-esteem, human sexuality and cosmetic surgery.”
In 2005, 2.1 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. That figure is expected to grow. Consider that the number of breast augmentation procedures alone increased a staggering 476 percent since 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. More than 2 million women in the United States have breast implants, and this year more than 360,000 American women will undergo breast augmentation.
Figueroa-Haas studied 84 women who were 21 to 57 years old, assessing their perceptions of self-esteem and sexuality before and after cosmetic breast augmentation. Study participants had been previously scheduled for breast augmentation and were undergoing the procedure solely for cosmetic purposes. Eligible candidates were mailed a consent form, a demographic questionnaire and pre-tests asking them to rate their self-esteem and sexuality. They were then mailed a similar post-test two to three months after the surgery.
Improvements in the women’s self-esteem and sexual satisfaction were directly correlated with having undergone breast augmentation. Figueroa-Haas used two widely accepted scientific scales to measure self-esteem and sexuality, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index, which assesses domains of sexual function, such as sexual arousal, satisfaction, experience and attitudes.
The participants’ average self-esteem score increased from 20.7 to 24.9 on the 30-point Rosenberg scale, and their average female sexual function score increased from 27.2 to 31.4 on the 36-point index. Of note, after the procedure, there were substantial increases in ratings of sexual desire (a 78.6 percent increase from initial scores), arousal (81 percent increase) and satisfaction (57 percent increase). Figueroa-Haas did point out that a small number of participants showed no change in their levels of self-esteem or sexuality after surgery.
With a heightened interest in men’s sexuality issues in recent years, the research sheds light on women’s sexuality, and how plastic surgery can improve and enhance this important area of life, Figueroa-Haas said.
“So much attention is directed to men’s sexuality issues; we have all seen countless commercials on drugs and therapy devoted to improving men’s sexuality. Unfortunately, very little is discussed regarding women’s sexuality issues,” Figueroa-Haas said. “I strongly believe that my research shows that interventions such as cosmetic plastic surgery can address these sorts of issues for some women. For example, those women who may have breast changes due to nursing or from the inevitable natural aging process. These women may not feel as attractive, which could ultimately negatively impact their levels of self-esteem and sexuality.”
Figueroa-Haas warned that women should not view plastic surgery as a cure-all for any self-esteem and sexuality woes. In fact, ethical plastic surgeons should screen for this type of behavior and rule out potential patients who may have more serious psychological issues, she said.
“There may be patients who will never be satisfied with their bodies no matter how much surgery they receive or feel that their life will completely change after plastic surgery,” Figueroa-Haas said. “These are not ideal candidates for surgery and should seek further counseling to address their underlying psychological issues. But for women who seek improvements in certain physical areas, plastic surgery can be a very positive experience.”
Further research should be conducted to assess significant psychosocial issues that may arise after plastic surgery, said Figueroa-Haas, adding that her study helps call attention to the need for health-care providers to be able to predict outcomes in this specialized population.
“Since plastic surgery is increasing dramatically, my intention for researching this topic was to evaluate nurses’ attitudes toward cosmetic surgery patients and make recommendations for increasing awareness of the factors surrounding these patients,” Figueroa-Haas said. “Nurses should display compassion and understand an individual’s reason for seeking cosmetic surgery instead of dismissing or stereotyping these patients. This study shows that there are genuine psychological improvements that follow plastic surgery, and these issues must be understood and respected.”
Source University of Florida
There are risks that we all take everyday in life…some we choose, some we don’t. I chose to go through this risky procedure knowing full well it is for me. I breastfed one child for nearly a year and to this day (she’s 10) will not remove my shirt in front of my husband…lights off only. It hurts him, and it hurts me. He doesn’t care whether I go through w/the surgery or not but I’ve saved especially for this procedure with the only outcome being some self-confidence FOR ME….I’d love not feeling like a man when I’m on my back, or my husband is squeezing an empty long sock as I lay over him. I’m very confident that this procedure will give me the boost I’d love to have like I am 17yrs. old again
And when I get 50-60yrs. old and lost all libido – LOL!, i’ll more than likely have then removed completely…but I’m 30 and young and would like for the first time in 10 years to LOVE my breast 
I was disappointed that your article made no mention of the potential health risks associated with the surgery both in the short-term and in the long-term. As an post that discusses only the psychological benefits of breast augmentation surgery, I feel that the health risks deserve some mention. Breast augmentation is a surgery that involves general anesthesia, with which there are always associated risks, and surgery also poses the minor risk of infection. The short-term risks are relatively minor; however, long-term risks are much more significant. Breast implants rupture a lot more easily than most plastic surgeons will admit and are not meant to last forever. Upon rupture, the silicone can migrate throughout the body and lead to complications such as connective tissue disease and neurological disorders. These symptoms, though many refuse to admit to their connection to the implants, disappear after the implants are removed. Furthermore, both saline and silicone implants contain platinum, a known toxin and heavy metal, in their silicone shell. Platinum can cause severe allergies, asthma, reduced immune responses and nerve damage, and it is potentially even more dangerous in its oxidized state. I urge women to receive adequate information and truly consider the risks involved before undergoing the surgery.
Sincerely,
Beth Katz
Intern, Our Bodies Ourselves
http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/
Still looking for the answer at
http://goodstuff4u.multiply.com/journal/item/107/CLEAVAGE_A_LONG_HARD_LOOK
I use to work around many women that had breast enhancement. I use to work in the entertainment field. Many men would insult women about having nothing up in the tops of their blouses and the such but then when the women got breast enhancement done the insults when from they had breast to “they have fake breasts” or “their breast job is the worst I have every seen”. This is why I decided not to do the surgery. I felt I was doing it for the wrong reasons. Just goes to show if you don’t have it done you are insulted by men and if you do have the surgery done you are insulted as well by them.
Over the years I wish I could still have the procedure done but don’t have the money or the time to do it. But, I would want to do it for the right reasons and not for men only! I don’t think anyone out there should do this for any man. They will still proably get up and leave you if you think that it will enhance your relationship. This happen to many people I know today and now they are stuck with these things. Do it for the right reasons.
I agree: “Sexiness is not found in the tissue, but in the mental self image, which should not be a product of breast size…”
But we have to accept that the world where we are living is always looking for something that probably is not natural.
“This study shows that there are genuine psychological improvements that follow plastic surgery, and these issues must be understood and respected.” That is true, but it is becouse the world first make that people feel bad with thier body.
Women should be discouraged from doing breast enlargement, due to health complications. Sexiness is not found in the tissue, but in the mental self image, which should not be a product of breast size…
Many women have a low confidence level regarding their breasts and enlarging them can only help the way they see life. Excellent read and backs up my original theory.