Social Media's Influence on Breast Augmentation

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Medical Social Media Research
• Patient Decision-Making

Background:

• Social media is increasingly prevalent in patient information gathering.
• Understanding its role in cosmetic surgery decisions is crucial for healthcare providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the influence of social media use on patient decisions for breast augmentation.
• To identify the specific social media platforms utilized by patients seeking information on breast augmentation.

Main Methods:

• A single-institution study surveyed women who underwent breast augmentation between 2017-2018.
• Validated telephone surveys collected data on demographics and social media habits related to the procedure.

Main Results:

• 97% of participants used social media, with Instagram being the most common research resource and most impactful platform (54%).
• Millennials and Generation X were the primary users of social media for breast augmentation research.
• Physician websites were utilized by 18% for research and 83% for comparing surgeons.

Conclusions:

• Social media significantly impacts patient education and decisions concerning breast augmentation.
• Instagram emerges as the most influential platform in this patient population.
• Healthcare providers should be aware of social media's role in shaping patient choices for cosmetic procedures.