Body Mass Index: Does It Really Matter for Breast Reductions?

Multiple studies have demonstrated higher complication rates for patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty who have high body mass index (BMI). As a result, some insurance companies and providers have used a BMI limit to deny coverage of this procedure to patients seeking surgery. Still, few studies have examined whether higher complication rates affect patient satisfaction. This study further explores the relationship between BMI, complications, and patient satisfaction in reduction mammoplasty.

A total of 899 consecutive patients at a single institution underwent reduction mammoplasty by 8 surgeons for symptomatic macromastia from 2016 to 2021. This cohort was queried using the BREAST-Q survey postoperatively. Kruskal-Wallis H-test was used to evaluate patient satisfaction and complication rates for 4 BMI groups, that is, normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m²), obese (30-39.9 kg/m²), and morbidly obese (>40 kg/m²).

Two hundred fifty patients completed surveys. The mean BMI was 32.4 kg/m² (range 20.3-50.5 kg/m²). Mean survey responses were highly favorable in all BMI categories, including 90% stating they "definitely agree" they "would do it again." There was no statistical difference between the 4 BMI categories for patient satisfaction or complications.

Patients with high BMI may have similar postoperative BREAST-Q satisfaction scores when compared to those with lower BMI.