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Background
The purpose of this study is to evaluate if and what social media use influences our patients’ decisions to undergo breast augmentation.
Objectives
A single-institution study was designed to evaluate women undergoing elective breast augmentation from 2017-2018.
Methods
Patients were contacted via validated, prompted telephone survey. D...
Citations
... It seems that the phenomenon is here to stay, a viewpoint gleaned in part from the proliferation of digital platforms emphasizing the importance of appearance. For example, American research examining various parameters influencing the decision to undertake augmentation surgery identifies the Instagram platform as the most influential factor (Zahedi et al., 2020). But as implied by Giddens' (1991) concept of late modernity agency -can (young) women, subjugated to the power of consumption, develop a knowledgeable self-reflexivity in achieving choice? ...
A Women's choice to undergo breast augmentation surgery with silicone implants may develop into a choice to surgically remove them. In our paper, we employ dimensions of power relating to such decisions to elaborate differential knowledgeability as organizing the temporal dimension of a process and its potential for changing the meaning of a decision formerly taken. Until recently, the possibility of differential access to knowledge relating to silicone implants' hazards was not explored from a temporal perspective, thus leaving vague the weight of women's participation in digital platforms that constitute knowledge-supporting space. Our findings relate to a turning point in which increased knowledgeability manifests a change in women's perception of augmentation surgery as a risk and fed a reflexive process towards a decision to remove the implants surgically. The neoliberal discourse our research participants adopted to describe their experiences demonstrates self-critical perception ; thus, their increased knowledgeability did not influence the balance of power between women and medical professionals. Our findings also relate to the development of emotional ambivalence post implants removal surgery, anchored in the research participants' separation from their culturally appreciated former appearance. ARTICLE HISTORY
... Moreover, age is an important factor in social media use. Patients will often seek before-and-after photos of surgery when choosing a plastic surgeon; while most prefer to view them on professional practice websites, Instagram was the preferred social media platform in Henderson's study [23], and is commonly used among younger women [24,25]. Research shows that "those younger than age 45 years at diagnosis were more than twofold likely to undergo breast reconstruction relative to those diagnosed between ages 55-64 years" [45]. ...
Background
Social media platforms are a significant source of information for young women with breast cancer (YWBC) undergoing post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR). The emphasis on visual storytelling and building community in online spaces renders YouTube to be a common platform for discussions of BR. This study aims to assess the quality of YouTube videos about PMBR, identify themes related to the PMBR experience, and quantify suggestions of BR as an option PM.
Methods
YouTube was searched incognito with terms “young women breast cancer reconstruction” in 08/2022, in order from most to least viewed. Title, upload date, length, poster identity, number of likes and comments were collected. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for audiovisual materials (PEMAT A/V) was used to evaluate understandability and actionability. DISCERN assessed quality and reliability. Presence of sponsorship, intended audience, patient and healthcare professional narratives, and suggestions of PMBR were collected. Reviewers noted whether PMBR was shown and how. Themes were collected inductively and deductively for thematic analysis.
Results
193 videos were identified. Mean video length was 14.6 minutes (SD 20.0 min). 87.1% included sponsorships. 95.9% of videos were posted by an organization. 60.6% were information-based; 45.6% experience-based. Mean PEMAT scores for understandability and actionability were 71.3% (SD 13.4) and 35.7% (SD 41.8), respectively. Mean DISCERN was 2.6/5 (SD 1.2). Patient narrative was present in 52.6% and healthcare professionals’ in 68.4%. PMBR was visually presented 22.8% of the time. 13.5% of videos explicitly recommended PMBR. 2.6% explicitly discouraged it. Patients (77.7%) represented the majority of the intended audience. Most common deductively identified themes included treatment (87.1%), family relationship (17.1%), motherhood ( 15.5%), fertility (11.9%). Inductively identified subthemes included differentiating between various options for PMBR surgery, BRCA genetic testing, psychosocial effects of breast cancer and PMBR, and recovery from surgery.
Conclusions
YouTube is a platform wherein various PMBR options are widely discussed and explained. PMBR videos are highly understandable but have moderate levels of actionability, quality, and reliability. Videos are highly sponsored, demonstrating significant institutional bias. Themes are overwhelmingly treatment and surgery-based. Personal themes were present but not dominant.
... Ze względu na to, że w proces tworzenia tego rejestru nie byli zaangażowani wszyscy polscy chirurdzy plastycy, można przypuszczać, że wykonuje się ich znacznie więcej. Na tak dużą liczbę wykonywanych operacji augmentacji piersi ogromny wpływ ma presja wywierana na kobiety przez media, które promują kult idealnego ciała, a także przez partnerów kobiet [13]. Te szacunki odnoszą się wyłącznie do operacji estetycznych i pomijają całkowicie operacje rekonstrukcyjne z wykorzystaniem implantów piersi. ...
Streszczenie: Wstęp Operacje piersi z zastosowaniem implantów są jednymi z najczęściej wykonywanych operacji plastycznych u kobiet. Wykonuje się je zarówno ze względów estetycznych, jak i onkologicznych. Biorąc pod uwagę interdyscyplinarny charakter tych procedur, szeroką wiedzę na ich temat powinien posiadać nie tylko chirurg plastyk przeprowadzający zabieg, ale również pielęgniarki. Cel Przeprowadzono badanie kwestionariuszowe mające na celu sprawdzenie poziomu wiedzy pielęgniarek pracujących na terenie województwa dolnośląskiego. Materiał i metody Kwestionariusz składał się z 32 pytań. Dane ilościowe automatycznie zbierały się w arkuszu dostępnym w narzędziu Google. W badaniu wzięło udział 110 pielęgniarek. Wyniki Z analizy otrzymanych danych można wnioskować, że poziom wiedzy pielęgniarek na temat zabiegów z użyciem implantów piersiowych jest dobry. Wnioski Pomimo dobrego poziomu wiedzy pielęgniarek dotyczącego wykorzystania implantów piersiowych w zabiegach operacyjnych, istnieje przestrzeń na pogłębienie tej wiedzy. Szerszy zakres wiedzy w tym temacie prezentują pielęgniarki, które pracują w oddziałach zabiegowych, od pielęgniarek pracujących w oddziałach zachowawczych. Zasadne wydaje się przeprowadzenie wieloośrodkowego badania analizującego poziom wiedzy pielęgniarek dotyczących zabiegów z wykorzystaniem implantów piersi na terenie całej Polski.
... In this context, the EVERA device may not be an excessively demanding procedure. This advantage can be further highlighted in our social networking era and for generation Z [17,18]. ...
Background Various types of external breast tissue expanders have been found to be effective for aesthetic breast augmentation. However, their use has been limited when compared with implant-based breast augmentation due to the burdensome nature of their application. This article reports the possibility that external breast tissue expanders may be applied safely and effectively with higher pressure and shorter application time.Methods The participants comprised patients who desired breast augmentation using the EVERA-RAPHA device between January 2020 and March 2020. A double-blinded prospective study was conducted on two groups of eight patients each, with either 60 mmHg or 100 mmHg of pressure applied. Standardized photographs were taken and blinded measurements of volume and circumference were made. The Mann-Whitney and paired t-tests were conducted.Results Sixteen patients were evaluated after 1 month of treatment. The women in groups 1 and 2 (60 mmHg and 100 mmHg, respectively) used EVERA-RAPHA for 15.400± 0.704 and 15.300±0.477 minutes per day, respectively. The mean volume increases in groups 1 and 2 were 39.000±42.526 cc and 27.700±20.260 cc, respectively. No patients dropped out of the study. All patients reported that the device was tolerable. Mild bruising was found in 62.5% of the patients in group 2.Conclusions Breast augmentation using external tissue expanders can be a safe, effective, and practical option. Pressures of 60 mmHg or 100 mmHg can be safely applied for a shorter duration. Larger studies are needed to further confirm our findings.
... [1][2][3][4][5] However, the focus has predominantly been on the demographic variances of those seeking plastic surgery information and has resulted in varying recommendations for the platforms of greatest influence. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] No studies have robustly sampled the US public's preferences for the ideal online platform(s) for viewing transformation photos. The present study aims to better understand these preferences and to advocate for improved utilization of these photos online. ...
... It has been further suggested that the most desirable content on a practice website is before-and-after photos and that these websites are more reliable sources (than are social media) for comparison of different surgeons' results. 1,7 Despite practice website being most influential among the entire sample queried by Fan et al, younger respondents seriously contemplating procedures were more likely to find one of the social media platforms most influential of all online methods for selecting a surgeon. 3 This suggests that of the young people contemplating aesthetic surgery, those most serious might have a preference for viewing transformation photos on social media. ...
... Most studies declare Facebook or Instagram as the most influential. 1,3,6,7,13 The rapid increase in competing apps makes social media a challenging preference to evaluate. Whereas 1 study from 2017 claims Facebook is ideal, another in 2020 proposed Instagram as the best platform. ...
Background:
While many plastic surgeons seek to optimize their online presence and reach a broader patient base, no studies have evaluated the general public's perceptions of one of the most valued informational tools: transformation photos.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the general public's preferences for viewing transformation photos online.
Methods:
Respondents representative of the US public, crowdsourced through Amazon Mechanical Turk, answered a survey assessing perceptions of the posting of before-and-after photos.
Results:
One thousand respondents completed the questionnaire. Ninety percent (905/1000) of respondents are willing to view online before-and-after photos. Sixty-three percent (634/1000) would consent to online posting of before-and-after photos of at least one body area, with comfort levels highest for facelift (36.4%), nonoperative facial rejuvenation (31.9%), liposuction (24.9%) and abdominoplasty (23.2%). Breast reduction (12.4%), breast reconstruction (10.9%), gluteal augmentation (14.0%) and vaginal rejuvenation (4.4%) are considered least acceptable for public posting. Respondents are significantly more opposed to online viewing of genitals than any other body area (p < 0.0001). Of those willing to have their own transformation photos posted online, 74.0% would allow posting on professional practice websites, 35.1% on Instagram, 26.6% on Facebook, 17.2% on Twitter and 10.7% on Snapchat. Significantly more respondents prefer their transformation photos reside only on professional practice websites rather than on a social media platform (p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
The public considers aesthetic facial procedures and body contouring most acceptable for showcasing transformation photos online. While most respondents prefer viewing these photos on professional practice websites, Instagram is the favored social media platform. The majority of the public seek transformation photos when choosing a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure.
... 4 In the realm of plastic surgery, multiple studies have shown Instagram to have the strongest impact with patients. 5,6 At the time of writing, there are 1.2 billion active users of Instagram worldwide. 7 Despite multiple studies evaluating the impact that social media, and specifically Instagram, has on patients and their surgical decisions, no large study to date has performed a global and comprehensive assessment of the plastic surgery content on Instagram. ...
... [6][7][8][9][10][11] The internet has become the primary source of information for many aesthetic patients, with social media helping them choose which procedure and which plastic surgeon. 5,7,12 However, there has been little research regarding how patients undergoing breast reconstruction use the internet and social media to guide their research, decision-making, and expectations. This study aimed to evaluate the current impact of infonomics on breast reconstruction patients in the social media age. ...
Background
The internet and social media provide access to information regarding breast reconstruction, which can educate and influence patients.
Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate current internet and social media usage for breast reconstruction patients and its impact on patients.
Methods
Eighty-six breast reconstruction patients over a 7-month period answered an anonymous survey, which queried demographics, reconstruction type, internet usage, social media usage, expectations, and impact on decisions. Fisher’s exact test was performed to evaluate the use of social media.
Results
95% of patients used the internet for breast reconstruction information. The information was easy to understand 70%, helpful 76%, and trustworthy 60%. The information influenced decisions regarding procedure 23%, surgeon 23%, and hospital 22%. Social media was used 71% of the time. 62% found it easy to understand, 57% helpful, and 48% trustworthy. The information influenced decisions regarding procedure 16%, surgeon 11%, and hospital 10%. 26% of women expected final breast reconstruction appearance to look better than their native pre-mastectomy breasts, 55% as good or similar, and 12% reported appearance as being unimportant. Women found social media information to be less helpful than internet information. There was no significant association between expectations and social media versus no social media usage.
Conclusion
Patients who undergo breast reconstruction use the internet and social media for their information. Though the information is generally trusted, it does not seem to heavily influence patient decision making. Providers remain patient’s main source of information, and need to direct patients to quality and accessible resources.
... Differences in methodology used by authors make comparison and trending difficult. 1,[4][5][6][7][11][12][13][14][15][16] There is a paucity of literature examining the longitudinal changes in perception and behavior of aesthetic surgery patients and that of plastic surgeons over the past decade. Aesthetic plastic surgery involves different procedures catering to different segments of society in terms of gender, body habitus, and phases of life. ...
... In this treatise, we update our ongoing observations of the impact of the internet and SoMe in breast augmentation, a common aesthetic procedure for young to middle-aged women. 3,7,17 The evolution of perception and behavior of both patients and surgeons recruited through a private clinic in Sweden over 5 years is presented. ...
... 6,7 Among the various platforms, the surgeon's website and Instagram are most commonly utilized in our study periods and this is corroborated by the report of other authors. 7 Interestingly, after a decade, a minority but sizable one-third of the patients still held onto the traditional mean of seeking initial information. This may be partially explained by the report of Janik and colleagues in which the "word of mouth" from other patients is still the most-valued source of information among patients. ...
Background
The influence of the Internet and social media (SoMe) in the decision-making of patients is recognized. Plastic surgeons are aware of this trend but are entangled between ethics, professionalism, and business acumen.
Objective
In this study, we present the evolution of perspectives of patients and surgeons recruited through a private clinic over five years.
Methods
A questionnaire was administered to patients consulting for primary breast augmentation in 2014, 2017, and 2019. Plastic surgeons who worked at or visited the Akademikliniken in 2014, 2017, and 2019 completed a separate questionnaire.
Results
A total of 1,646 patient responses was collected. An increase from 68.0% to 72.9% of patients started their information gathering with the Internet. 94.1% of patients looked for information about aesthetic surgery on the Internet before their consultation. A 29.1% increase in patients read about aesthetic surgery on SoMe. Out of 462 surgeons recruited, 62% opined that the majority of patients had gathered information online before consultation. Fewer surgeons in 2019 thought that the Internet and SoMe led to better information (down from 61.7% to 35.2%). An increase from 38.3% to 65.3% of surgeons attributed it to unrealistic expectations. However, only 9.7% of surgeons would support removal of plastic surgery material from SoMe as compared to 21.9% in 2014.
Conclusion
The increase in use and influence of the Internet and SoMe on patients and surgeons is rapid. Aesthetic plastic surgeons must equip themselves to cope with the risks and capitalize on the opportunity for patient engagement and public education.
There are few studies of Chinese patients who request silicone breast implant removal after at least 10 years of implantation without any complications. This study aimed to study the characteristics of these patients, explore their reasons for breast implant removal and associate factors that affect their choice, so as to provide valuable information on clinical decision making.
A total of 55 eligible female patients (110 breasts) were enrolled from 2016 to 2022. A preoperative questionnaire survey before removal surgery and a telephone follow-up 1 year after removal surgery were conducted to collect data.
The mean age of the patients was 40.6±8.8 years with the average time from breast augmentation to implant removal or replacement ranged from 10 to 15 years. Concerns about the aging of silicone gel-filled breast implant and the adverse effects of its long-term placement on body health were the top two reasons for breast implant removal. 63% of patients refused implant replacement, who were nearly 10 years older than those accepted implant replacement (p<0.05). Older age at implant removal (OR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.44–0.89) and a history of basic diseases (OR=0.02; 95%CI: 0.00–0.39) were statistically associated with lower rate of implant replacement.
Concerns about the aging of silicone gel-filled breast implant were the main reason for uncomplicated patients to remove their breast implants. A comprehensive analysis based on patient’s subjective choice and physical condition was suggested when an uncomplicated patient asks for implant removal.
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
