A Retrospective Study Examining the Socioeconomic Backgrounds of Women Undergoing Bilateral Breast Augmentation at a Private Independent Hospital in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Cosmetic breast augmentation is becoming increasingly popular and acceptable to women in the United Kingdom. This study examined the socioeconomic backgrounds of women undergoing breast augmentation who live in North Warwickshire in the Midlands. The case notes of 98 consecutive breast augmentations performed at a private independent hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The average age of the patient was 34 years (range, 17–53 years). They were requesting, on the average, an increase of 2 bra cup sizes (range, 1–3 cup sizes). The preoperative bra cup size was A/B (range, AA–C), and the postoperative bra cup size was C/D (range, B–E). The average size of the implant used was 270 ml (range, 160–410 ml). The average implant size used currently is considerably larger than that reported in studies 30 years ago. What women perceive as a “natural-appearing” breast has changed over time. The findings show that women from all across the socioeconomic spectrum are undergoing breast augmentation. In particular, the authors found that the largest proportion (34%) of their patients have come from social class IIIn. This is particularly interesting in that this social class is not overrepresented in North Warwickshire. The findings of this study may have implications for cosmetic surgery providers and may document the change in the attitudes of the authors’ society toward cosmetic breast augmentation.