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Satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction: experiences in the early post-operative stage

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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>09/2015
<mark>Journal</mark>British Journal of Health Psychology
Issue number3
Volume20
Number of pages15
Pages (from-to)579-593
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date20/06/14
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Objectives
This qualitative study aimed to achieve an understanding of women's experiences of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy, to better understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction.

Design
Nine women were recruited from a breast unit in the North West of England. Participants were 3–9 months post-reconstruction, had received either an implant-based or Latissimus Dorsi-based immediate reconstruction and were not receiving any adjuvant therapies. An inductive qualitative and phenomenological approach was adopted to data collection and analysis.

Methods
Women took part in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results
Four themes were generated: Seeking and receiving information; coping with the outcome of reconstruction; the need for on-going support and a new life after surgery.

Conclusion
The study highlights difficulties surrounding receiving information and decision-making, how women make sense of recovery, how they solicit and receive support, and the process by which they begin to make sense of their futures. More focus on these areas in service provision may aid positive psychological outcomes in the recovery process following immediate breast reconstruction.