Breast Procedures at Dr. KOKO Vietnam

Breast surgery for international patients in Ho Chi Minh City. Board-certified surgeon, premium implants, all-inclusive support from airport arrival to aftercare at home.

Consultations available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, and Vietnamese.

Which breast procedure is right for you?

Not sure which applies to you? Send photos via WhatsApp and Dr. Koko will assess and recommend the right procedure — free of charge.

All prices are in USD and confirmed after Dr. Koko reviews your photos.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation enhances the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts using silicone implants. It is one of the most requested procedures at Dr. KOKO Vietnam by patients traveling from Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and beyond.

Whether you want to restore volume lost after pregnancy or breastfeeding, correct natural asymmetry, or simply feel more confident in your body, augmentation delivers results that look and feel naturally yours.

How does the procedure work?

The surgeon makes a small incision and places the implant either under the breast tissue or under the chest muscle. The most common incision locations are under the breast (inframammary), around the areola (periareolar), or in the armpit (transaxillary). The approach depends on your anatomy, lifestyle, and the type of implant chosen.

The surgeon creates a pocket either directly behind the breast tissue (subglandular) or beneath the chest muscle (submuscular). Dr. Koko most often uses a dual-plane technique, which combines both approaches for a more natural result and better long-term implant behaviour.

Surgery takes 1 to 2 hours under general anaesthesia.

Choosing your implant size

Implant volume is measured in cc (cubic centimetres). As a rough guide, every 150–200cc adds approximately one cup size — though this varies with your chest width, existing tissue, and frame.

Bigger is not always better. An implant too wide for your chest can cause visible rippling, tissue thinning over time, and an unnatural appearance. Dr. Koko measures your chest width, skin elasticity, and existing tissue to recommend a size range that will look proportionate on your frame.

Share reference photos during your video consultation and Dr. Koko will tell you honestly whether that result is achievable with your anatomy.

Implant types

Nano plain (with or without chip) Soft, natural-feeling silicone. The chip version includes tracking technology for lifetime monitoring of implant integrity.

Nano Ergonomix A premium motion-adapting implant that shifts naturally with your body. The most natural look and feel, especially when lying down.

Sebbin textured surface Cohesive gel with a textured surface that reduces rotation risk and holds shape consistently over time.

Mentor standard / Mentor extra A globally trusted brand with a long track record. Excellent projection and durability. The Extra version gives a fuller result.

All implants are FDA-approved or internationally certified and sourced directly from the manufacturer. You will be shown the packaging and serial numbers before surgery, and you keep your implant card and documentation.

Who is a good candidate?

You are likely a good candidate if you are physically healthy, at a stable weight, not pregnant or breastfeeding, have fully developed breasts, and hold realistic expectations.

Augmentation adds volume — it does not correct significant sagging. If your nipple sits below your breast crease, a combined augmentation and lift will give a far better result.

Recovery

Days 1–3 — Rest at your hotel. Tightness and pressure rather than sharp pain, managed with medication. Light walking encouraged.

Week 1 — Comfortable movement returns. Avoid lifting your arms above your head.

Week 2 — Most patients resume desk work and light daily activity.

Weeks 4–6 — Normal activity resumes. Exercise typically cleared at 6 weeks.

3–6 months — Implants settle into final position and the true result becomes visible.

You will wear a supportive surgical bra for several weeks and sleep on your back to protect implant position.

Can I breastfeed afterwards?

In most cases yes — particularly when the implant sits under the muscle and the incision is made under the breast fold rather than around the areola. The periareolar incision carries a slightly higher risk of affecting milk ducts and nipple sensation.

If you plan to have children, tell Dr. Koko during consultation so the incision and placement are chosen with that in mind. Note that some women cannot breastfeed regardless of surgery, so no surgeon can guarantee it either way.

Will implants affect mammograms?

Implants can obscure part of the breast tissue on a standard mammogram, but this is easily managed. Tell your radiographer you have implants before any scan — they will use the Eklund displacement view, which moves the implant aside to image the tissue properly.

Implants do not increase your risk of breast cancer. Continue routine screening and self-examination as normal.

How long do implants last?

Implants are not lifetime devices but they are built to last. Most patients keep theirs 15 to 20 years without issue. We recommend an ultrasound or MRI check at 5 to 6 years, then every 2 to 3 years thereafter.

Reasons for eventual revision include rupture, capsular contracture, or simply wanting to change size or type.

What's included: surgeon's fee, implants, anaesthesia, operating theatre, overnight monitoring where required, surgical bra, and all follow-up visits during your stay.

Not included: international flights, hotel accommodation (we assist with booking), personal meals, and travel insurance.

How this compares to the cost at home

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift reshapes and raises breasts that have sagged due to ageing, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss. It does not add volume — it repositions the tissue, tightens the skin, and raises the nipple to a more youthful position.

Do I need a lift, an augmentation, or both?

Stand in front of a mirror without a bra and look at where your nipple sits relative to your inframammary fold — the crease underneath your breast.

• Nipple above the fold, want more volume → augmentation alone

• Nipple at or slightly below the fold, size is fine → lift alone

• Nipple below the fold, and you want more volume → augmentation with lift

• Nipple pointing downward → lift, likely grade 3 or 4

A rough guide only — Dr. Koko will grade your ptosis accurately from your photos.

The four grades

The extent of the incision depends on how much correction is needed.

Grade 1 — Periareolar (donut) lift Mild sagging. The incision circles the areola only, leaving a minimal scar.

Grade 2 — Vertical (lollipop) lift Moderate sagging. Incisions around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease.

Grade 3 — Inverted-T (anchor) lift Significant sagging. Incisions around the areola, vertically down, and horizontally along the crease.

Grade 4 — Full mastopexy Severe ptosis. The most involved technique, offering the greatest degree of lifting and reshaping.

Who is a good candidate?

A lift suits patients whose nipples point downward or sit below the breast crease, who have lost shape through pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, who are at a stable weight, and who do not need a significant volume increase.

If you want both lift and fullness, a combined augmentation-mastopexy will serve you better.

Recovery

Days 1–3 — Rest with light walking. Supportive bra worn around the clock.

Weeks 1–2 — Light desk work resumes. Avoid heavy lifting and raising arms above shoulders.

Weeks 4–6 — Full daily activity. Exercise cleared at Dr. Koko's discretion.

2–6 months — Swelling settles and the final shape emerges. Up to 12 months — Scars continue to fade and soften.

Caring for your scars

Mastopexy scars are permanent but typically fade substantially over 12 to 18 months. Scar quality depends heavily on aftercare, and this is one area where you have real influence over your result.

• Keep incisions clean and dry until fully closed

• Once healed, apply silicone gel or sheeting daily for at least 3 months

• Protect scars from sun completely for 12 months — UV on a fresh scar causes permanent darkening

• Wear your support garment as directed to reduce tension across the incision

• Avoid stretching or heavy lifting during early healing

Patients with darker skin tones have a higher tendency toward raised or hyperpigmented scarring. Mention this during consultation so preventative scar management is planned from the start.

How long do results last?

Most patients enjoy 10 to 15 years before considering revision. Natural ageing, weight change, and future pregnancies will continue to affect breast shape. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing good support gives the best long-term outcome.

Combining augmentation and lift: the lift price is added to your chosen implant package. A Nano plain implant (from $2,800) with a grade 2 lift (from $1,200) comes to approximately $4,000. One anaesthetic, one recovery, one trip.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create smaller, lighter, better-proportioned breasts. For many patients this is as much about physical relief as appearance.

Overly large breasts can cause chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain, skin rashes underneath, deep bra-strap grooving, difficulty exercising, and problems finding clothes that fit. Reduction addresses all of these.

How does the procedure work?

The surgeon removes a pre-determined volume of tissue and fat, reshapes what remains, and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the chest.

Inverted-T (anchor) technique — the most widely used for larger reductions. Incisions around the areola, vertically down, and horizontally along the breast crease.

Vertical-scar (lollipop) technique — for moderate reductions. Incisions around the areola and vertically down only, producing less scarring.

Technique depends on how much tissue is removed and your breast anatomy.

Who is a good candidate?

You may benefit if you have chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain from breast weight, deep grooves from bra straps, persistent rashes or infections underneath, difficulty exercising comfortably, or trouble finding clothing that fits — and you are at a stable weight and not planning pregnancy in the near future.

Recovery

Days 1–5 — Rest with support bra and light walking. Mild to moderate discomfort managed with medication.

Weeks 1–2 — Desk work and light driving resume once off prescription pain medication.

Weeks 3–4 — Most daily activity returns. Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting.

Week 6 onward — Exercise and physical work typically cleared.

3–6 months — Breasts settle into final shape. Many patients see the true result closer to 12 months.

Many patients feel immediate relief from back and shoulder pain, often within the first week.

What results can you expect?

Breast reduction has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any cosmetic procedure. Expect smaller, lighter, better-proportioned breasts, significant or complete relief from back, neck, and shoulder pain, improved posture, easier physical activity, and better-fitting clothing.

Scars are permanent but fade considerably over 1 to 2 years and sit where a bra covers them.

Autologous Fat Injection

Fat transfer uses your own body fat, harvested by liposuction from the abdomen, thighs, or flanks, and injects it into the breasts to increase volume naturally.

Because it uses your own tissue there is no risk of implant-related complications, and it slims the donor area as a bonus. The trade-off is a more modest volume increase.

How much volume can I gain?

Realistically, half to one cup size per session. This is the most important expectation to set: fat transfer is a refinement procedure, not a substitute for implants if you want a significant size increase.

Not all transferred fat survives. Typically 50 to 70 percent establishes a blood supply and becomes permanent; the rest is reabsorbed over the first 3 to 6 months. This is normal, and Dr. Koko accounts for it by slightly over-filling at surgery. Some patients choose a second session after 6 months to build more volume.

Fat transfer vs implants

Who is a good candidate?

Patients wanting natural, subtle enhancement without implants, who have sufficient donor fat available, or who want to correct minor asymmetry after previous breast surgery.

Very slim patients are often unsuitable simply because there is not enough donor fat to harvest. Dr. Koko will assess this from your photos.

Recovery

Recovery involves two areas — the breasts and the donor site — and the donor site is usually the more uncomfortable of the two.

Days 1–3 — Soreness and bruising at the liposuction site, similar to an intense workout. Breasts feel full and tender. Compression garment worn on the donor area.

Weeks 1–2 — Bruising fades. Most patients return to desk work.

Weeks 4–6 — Normal activity and exercise resume.

3–6 months — Fat reabsorption completes and final volume becomes clear.

Avoid pressure on the breasts and sleeping face-down in the first few weeks — pressure on newly grafted fat reduces survival rate.

How long do results last?

The fat surviving the first 6 months is permanent and behaves like any other fat in your body. Significant weight loss can reduce your result and weight gain can increase it, so a stable weight preserves the outcome.

Planning your trip

How long to stay in Vietnam

Flying home

You fly once Dr. Koko confirms healing is progressing normally — never before.

On the flight: stay well hydrated, walk the aisle every 1 to 2 hours, wear your surgical bra throughout, and use a small pillow across your chest to cushion the seatbelt. Request an aisle seat where possible. For body procedures involving liposuction, wear your compression garment.

Before you travel

• Stop nicotine completely at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery — cigarettes, vaping, patches, and gum. Nicotine restricts blood supply to healing tissue and is the single biggest controllable risk factor for poor healing, wound breakdown, and bad scarring. This applies to every procedure on this page.

• Stop blood-thinning medications and supplements 7 to 14 days before: aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo. Check with Dr. Koko before stopping anything prescribed.

• Avoid alcohol for at least 1 week before surgery.

• Arrange travel insurance — check whether your policy covers elective surgery abroad, as many standard policies exclude it.

• Plan your time off work — at least 2 weeks before returning to a desk job, longer for physical work.

What to pack

• Front-opening or zip-up tops — you will not be able to lift your arms above your head comfortably

• Loose, comfortable clothing and slip-on shoes

• A small travel pillow for the flight home

• All regular medications with documentation

• Passport, travel insurance documents, and digital copies of both

You do not need to bring a surgical bra or compression garment — these are provided.

On the day of surgery

Arrive fasted — no food or drink for at least 8 hours. Wear a front-opening top, remove all jewellery and nail polish, and skip lotions and deodorant. Our coordinator collects you from your hotel and stays with you throughout.

Risks

Every surgical procedure carries risk. Complications are uncommon in healthy patients operated on by an experienced surgeon in a licensed facility, but you should understand them before proceeding. Dr. Koko discusses the risks specific to your case during consultation.

Common to all breast procedures: infection, bleeding, asymmetry, changes in nipple or breast sensation, scarring, poor wound healing, and the possibility of revision surgery. Smokers and patients with certain health conditions face materially higher risk.

Specific to implants: capsular contracture, implant rupture, rippling, and implant malposition.

What is capsular contracture? Your body naturally forms a thin layer of scar tissue around any implant — this is normal. In a small percentage of patients that capsule tightens and hardens, making the breast feel firm, change shape, or become uncomfortable. It is the most common reason for revision. Risk is reduced by careful technique, correct implant selection, and following post-operative instructions. Treatment is a capsulectomy — removal of the hardened tissue.

Specific to lift and reduction: more extensive scarring than augmentation, and a risk of difficulty breastfeeding in future.

Specific to fat transfer: partial reabsorption requiring a second session, fat necrosis (small firm lumps of non-surviving fat), oil cysts, calcifications that may appear on future mammograms, plus the standard risks of liposuction at the donor site. Calcifications from fat grafting can usually be distinguished from concerning findings by an experienced radiologist — always tell your radiographer you have had fat grafting before any breast imaging.

Frequently asked questions

How long will I be in surgery? Augmentation 1–2 hours. Lift 2–3 hours. Reduction 3–4 hours. Fat transfer 2–4 hours depending on the donor area.

Will I need to stay overnight? Augmentation usually allows same-day or next-morning discharge. Lift and reduction typically require 1 to 2 nights of monitoring at the clinic or our partner hospital.

Will I have drains? Not routinely for standard augmentation. Small drains are sometimes used after larger reductions or revision surgery, and are removed within 2 to 4 days — well before you fly home.

Will I be in pain? You feel nothing during surgery. Afterwards most patients describe tightness and pressure rather than sharp pain, well controlled with the medication provided. Discomfort peaks in the first 48 hours and improves quickly.

Can I combine breast surgery with another procedure? Yes — combining with liposuction, a tummy tuck, or rhinoplasty in a single trip is common and practical for international patients. Total operating time should generally stay under 6 to 7 hours for safety. Dr. Koko will advise on safe combinations.

How soon can I exercise? Light walking from day 2 to 3. Lower-body exercise from 3 to 4 weeks. Upper-body and chest exercise, running, and swimming from 6 weeks with Dr. Koko's clearance.

When can I sleep on my side or front? Back only for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Side sleeping usually from around 6 weeks. Front sleeping is the last to return, around 8 to 12 weeks.

What if I'm not happy with my result? Allow the full healing period — 3 to 6 months — before assessing, as swelling significantly distorts appearance in early recovery. If you have concerns at any point, message us on WhatsApp and we will arrange a follow-up assessment. Revision options are discussed honestly.

What aftercare do I get once I'm home? Every patient gets WhatsApp aftercare. Send photos of your healing at any time and receive direct feedback from our medical team. We can also provide a surgical summary for your doctor at home.

Who do I contact if something goes wrong after I return home? Message us immediately on WhatsApp. If you have signs of a possible complication — fever above 38°C, increasing redness or swelling, unusual discharge, or worsening pain — seek local medical care straight away and contact us at the same time so we can support your treating doctor.

Book your free consultation

Send clear photos — front view, both side views, and one with arms raised — along with your age, height, weight, and what you'd like to achieve. Dr. Koko personally reviews your case and responds with a recommendation and an accurate quote, usually within a few hours.

WhatsApp: +62 822 6186 9396

Consultations are free, with no obligation to book.