Understanding Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is surgery performed to increase breast volume and modify breast shape using breast implants.

The decision involves considerably more than selecting an implant size.

A surgical assessment should consider:

• chest dimensions
• existing breast tissue
• skin quality
• breast symmetry
• nipple position
• degree of breast sagging
• previous scars
• desired change in volume
• implant characteristics
• long-term expectations

The appropriate implant and surgical plan therefore differ between patients.

Current medical guidance also emphasizes that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Additional surgery may eventually be required because of implant-related complications, changes in breast tissue, or a patient's changing goals.

This should be understood before choosing breast augmentation rather than discovered only after surgery.

Who May Consider Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation may be considered by adults seeking to increase breast volume or improve breast proportions after appropriate medical and surgical assessment.

Common reasons for consultation include:

• naturally limited breast volume
• breast asymmetry
• volume changes after pregnancy
• changes following weight loss
• loss of upper-breast fullness
• a desire to change breast proportions
• replacement or correction of previous breast implants

However, implants are not necessarily the correct solution for every breast concern.

For example, when significant breast sagging is present, adding volume alone may not adequately reposition the breast. A breast lift may need to be discussed.

Similarly, a patient who already has implants and is experiencing hardening, displacement, pain, unusual breast shape or another problem requires a revision assessment, rather than simply selecting another implant.

Common Breast Concerns We Address

Limited Breast Volume

Breast implants can increase volume when augmentation is anatomically appropriate.

The objective should not be to choose the largest possible implant. Implant selection should consider the patient's tissue, chest proportions and intended result.

Breast Asymmetry

Some degree of natural breast asymmetry is common.

Surgery may improve visible differences in volume or shape, but perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed. The underlying chest wall, ribs, breast tissue and nipple position may also contribute to asymmetry.

Breast Sagging

Breast ptosis can develop after pregnancy, weight changes, ageing or changes in skin elasticity.

An implant primarily increases volume. It does not automatically correct significant sagging.

Where excess skin and nipple position are important concerns, Breast Lift (Mastopexy) may be more appropriate or may be discussed together with augmentation.

Problems After Previous Breast Augmentation

Patients may seek another surgical opinion because of:

• capsular contracture
• implant displacement
• implant rupture
• breast asymmetry
• implant visibility or rippling
• changes in breast shape
• symmastia
• excessive scar tissue
• an unwanted cosmetic result
• concerns relating to previous silicone procedures

These cases generally require more detailed planning than primary breast augmentation.

Breast Augmentation with Motiva Implants

The current DR. MARIS AESTHETICS international price list includes three breast augmentation options:

Breast Augmentation – Motiva Implants (Smooth, No Chip)

This is the entry Motiva implant option currently listed by DR. MARIS AESTHETICS.

Breast Augmentation – Motiva Ergonomix (Single-Chip)

Motiva Ergonomix is another implant option available within the published breast surgery price list.

Breast Augmentation – Motiva Ergonomix 2

Motiva Ergonomix 2 is also listed as a separate implant option.

Motiva's current product information describes Ergonomix and Ergonomix2 as distinct implant families with different design characteristics. Implant selection should nevertheless be based on anatomy and surgeon assessment rather than choosing an implant solely because it is a newer or more expensive model.

Important: exact implant size, profile, surface, identification technology and other specifications used by DR. MARIS should be confirmed for the individual patient before surgery.

Breast Lift — Mastopexy

A breast lift, medically called mastopexy, addresses breast sagging by removing excess skin and reshaping supporting tissue.

Unlike augmentation, its primary purpose is not simply to increase breast volume.

Professional plastic-surgery guidance describes mastopexy as surgery that raises the breast by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue.

A breast lift may be considered when:

• the breast sits lower than desired
• skin has become stretched
• nipple position has descended
• breast shape has changed after pregnancy or weight loss
• an implant alone would not adequately address the concern

Some patients may require a lift without implants.

Others may discuss breast augmentation and breast lift together if both volume and tissue position need to be addressed.

Whether these should be performed together or separately requires clinical assessment.

Symmastia Correction

Symmastia is sometimes described by patients as the breasts or implants appearing to join across the middle of the chest, with reduced separation between them.

It can occur after previous breast augmentation when the medial implant pockets or supporting tissues no longer maintain the intended separation.

Revision planning may need to evaluate:

• existing implant position
• the previous implant pocket
• scar tissue
• skin and soft-tissue support
• current implant dimensions
• previous surgical technique
• chest anatomy

Correction is therefore not simply a matter of replacing implants with another pair.

Dr. Maris must examine the existing breast structure and determine what surgical approach, if any, is appropriate.

Free Silicone Removal from the Breast

A patient who has previously undergone silicone injection or another silicone-related procedure requires a different assessment from a routine breast augmentation patient.

Free or injectable silicone should also not be confused with silicone contained within a manufactured breast implant.

The FDA specifically distinguishes injectable silicone from breast implant silicone and notes that injectable silicone is not approved in the United States for breast augmentation or body contouring.

For patients seeking Free Silicone Removal (Breast), Dr. Maris may need to review:

• the previous procedure
• approximate timing
• available medical records
• current symptoms
• photographs
• previous imaging when clinically relevant
• previous surgical attempts to remove silicone

The appropriate surgical plan can only be determined after assessment.

Website information should not be used to determine whether all silicone can be removed or what tissue will need to be addressed.

Implant Removal & Capsulectomy

Another revision procedure listed by DR. MARIS is Implant Removal & Capsulectomy.

A capsule is scar tissue that naturally forms around an implant. In some patients, this tissue can tighten around the implant, a condition known as capsular contracture.

The FDA identifies capsular contracture as one of the recognized complications of breast implants and notes that more severe cases may require further surgery.

Depending on the clinical situation, revision surgery may involve:

• removing an existing implant
• replacing an implant
• addressing the surrounding capsule
• changing the implant pocket
• correcting another associated breast deformity

Not every patient requires the same type or extent of capsulectomy.

Dr. Maris will determine the appropriate approach after examination and review of the previous surgery.

Dr. Maris's Approach to Breast Surgery

The consultation begins with the patient's actual anatomy and surgical history rather than a predetermined implant package.

Dr. Maris / Dr. Tran Minh Huy has 6+ years of cosmetic surgery experience and personally participates throughout the surgical pathway.

Dr. Maris personally:

• conducts the consultation
• examines the patient
• evaluates previous surgery where relevant
• develops the surgical plan
• performs the operation
• participates in postoperative follow-up

This is particularly important for revision cases.

An implant that appears displaced, a breast that has become firm, or an unwanted result following previous surgery may have several possible contributing factors.

The goal of consultation is therefore to understand the condition before proposing another procedure.

How Breast Augmentation Surgery Is Planned ?

Breast augmentation generally involves creating a surgical pocket and placing an appropriately selected implant in relation to the breast and chest tissues.

However, several important decisions must be individualized.

These may include:

Implant Selection

Size and implant characteristics need to correspond with breast dimensions, existing tissue and surgical goals.

Implant Position

The appropriate implant pocket depends on anatomy and the planned technique.

Incision

The incision approach should be discussed during consultation because it affects surgical access and scar location.

Existing Asymmetry

Pre-existing differences should be identified before surgery so realistic expectations can be established.

Need for a Breast Lift

If skin laxity or nipple position is a major concern, augmentation alone may not provide an appropriate correction.

Specific anesthesia, incision and implant-pocket techniques used by Dr. Maris should be confirmed after examination rather than generalized from website information.

Revision and Complex Breast Surgery

Revision breast surgery can be substantially different from a first breast augmentation.

Previous surgery may have changed:

• breast tissue
• implant pockets
• skin
• scar tissue
• nipple position
• breast symmetry
• chest soft-tissue support

Patients may also arrive with limited information about the previous operation.

The FDA recognizes that breast implants can be associated with complications including capsular contracture, rupture, displacement, asymmetry, pain, infection and the need for additional surgery.

For this reason, revision surgery should not automatically be approached as an implant exchange.

What Should International Revision Patients Send Before Travelling?

Where available, prepare:

• previous surgery date
• previous surgeon or hospital information
• implant card
• implant brand and size
• previous operative report
• photographs
• previous scans or imaging
• history of complications
• previous revision procedures
• current symptoms and concerns

Dr. Maris can use this information during preliminary assessment and determine what additional evaluation may be needed.

Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery depends on the specific operation.

Primary breast augmentation, breast lift, implant removal, capsulectomy and complex revision surgery do not necessarily follow the same recovery pattern.

Early postoperative experiences can include:

• swelling
• bruising
• discomfort
• tightness
• temporary changes in breast or nipple sensation
• activity limitations

Incision healing and scar maturation also continue beyond the early postoperative period.

For breast lift surgery, wound healing and scar management become particularly important because more skin may need to be surgically reshaped.

For revision surgery, recovery may be affected by scar tissue and the extent of reconstruction required.

Recovery timing depends on the procedure and individual condition and will be discussed during consultation.

International patients should wait for an individualized recommendation before purchasing a fixed return flight.

Risks & Considerations

Breast surgery has potential complications and should not be presented as risk-free.

Recognized breast implant risks include:

• capsular contracture
• implant rupture
• implant displacement
• asymmetry
• pain
• infection
• changes in breast or nipple sensation
• seroma or fluid accumulation
• bleeding or hematoma
• scarring
• implant visibility or rippling
• additional surgery

The FDA also advises patients that breast implants are not lifetime devices and discusses uncommon implant-associated malignancies, including BIA-ALCL and other cancers reported in the capsule surrounding breast implants.

Breast lift surgery carries additional considerations such as wound-healing problems, asymmetry, changes in sensation, unfavorable scarring and other complications associated with tissue reshaping.

Individual risk must be assessed before surgery.

Results & Realistic Expectations

Breast surgery may improve volume, position, shape or symmetry depending on the procedure performed.

It cannot guarantee:

• perfect symmetry
• a specific cleavage width
• an exact bra size
• a scar-free result
• permanent breast shape
• lifetime implant integrity

Breasts continue to change with age, pregnancy, weight fluctuation, tissue stretching and other biological factors.

Breast implants may also require monitoring and future surgery.

A realistic surgical plan should therefore balance the patient's desired change with the limitations of their anatomy and tissue.

Breast Surgery Cost in Vietnam

The current DR. MARIS AESTHETICS International Price List provides the following breast surgery starting prices.

Important Pricing Information

These figures are indicative starting rates for the procedure only.

The price list specifically states that final pricing may vary according to individual patient assessment during an in-person or video consultation. Foreign-currency amounts are reference conversions, and final invoicing follows the applicable bank exchange rate on the payment date.

Do not assume that combining procedures means simply adding published prices together.

For example:

• breast augmentation + breast lift
• implant removal + new augmentation
• capsulectomy + implant replacement
• symmastia repair + implant exchange
• silicone removal + reconstruction

may require an individualized surgical plan and quotation.

International Patients Travelling to Vietnam

Patients from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Europe and other international markets may begin planning before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City.

An online consultation can help establish whether further assessment may be appropriate.

For primary augmentation, you may be asked to discuss:

• current breast concerns
• previous pregnancy or breastfeeding history where relevant
• general medical history
• medications
• previous breast procedures
• desired change in breast size or shape

Revision patients should provide previous surgical information whenever available.

A video consultation can support preliminary planning but should not be considered a replacement for required physical examination and preoperative medical assessment.

The length of stay in Vietnam depends on the procedure and early recovery.

More extensive revision surgery may require a different schedule from uncomplicated primary breast augmentation.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Maris ?

The DR. MARIS model emphasizes direct surgeon involvement rather than high-volume surgery.

Patients can discuss their case directly with the surgeon who will perform the operation.

Key differentiators include:

• consultation directly with Dr. Maris
• personal examination by Dr. Maris
• individualized implant and surgical planning
• surgery personally performed by Dr. Maris
• postoperative follow-up involving Dr. Maris
• hospital-based surgery at Hong Bang International Hospital
• particular interest in revision and complex cosmetic surgery
• remote preliminary assessment for international patients
• published reference pricing rather than intentionally misleading low-entry advertising

The appropriate operation is determined after assessment rather than by a standard package.