OUTCOME STUDY OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES AFTER SILICONE BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL

Introduction: The purpose of this longitudinal study is to determine i f there are changes in psychological well-being after breast implant r emoval. Methods: Thirty-seven women underwent breast implant removal a nd completed a preoperative baseline, early postoperative (4 to 9 mont hs), and late postoperative (>10 months) Brief Symptom Inventory, a me asure of psychological distress. Results: After breast implant removal the mean Global Severity Scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory of wom en undergoing implant removal increased over the three time periods, i ndicating increasing psychological distress. When the group was divide d into those who had breast reconstruction after implant removal (impl ant replacement with saline-filled implants or TRAM flaps) and those w ho did not have reconstruction. both groups had in creasing psychologi cal distress, but the women who had reconstruction had slightly higher scores. Women with a history of psychiatric treatment showed the grea test increase in psychological symptoms. Conclusion: Breast implant re moval did not have psychological benefits in this group of women. Brea st reconstruction after removal did not appear to be psychologically b eneficial to this cohort.