Breast Implants, Explant Surgery, and Breast Implant Illness with Robert Whitfield MD - Episodes Tagged with “Bii”

Episode 119: The Truth About Breast Implant Illness and Holistic Recovery with Dr. Tania Ash and Andi Lew

Robert Whitfield MD — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Welcome to a transformative episode of our podcast, where we delve into the world of breast implant illness (BII) with leading experts and personal stories that will captivate your attention! Join us as Dr. Robert Whitfield, a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon, unravels the complexities of BII alongside wellness expert Andi Lew and functional medicine specialist Dr. Tania Ash.

Today, Dr. Whitfield underscores the critical importance of understanding BII and advocates for comprehensive, patient-centered care. Andi Lew shares her personal journey with BII, highlighting the challenges she faced in finding knowledgeable providers and the emotional toll it took on her. Meanwhile, Dr. Tania Ash delves into diagnostic approaches and emphasizes the role of detoxification in the recovery process.

If you’re trying to understand the intricacies of BII, holistic treatment, and supportive care for women affected by this condition, tune in to this engaging conversation that promises to inform, inspire, and empower.

Bio: Dr. Tania Ash

Dr. Tania has over three decades of medical expertise, including the past 21 years in functional medicine, with a specialization in CFS/MCAS. She is a graduate of Melbourne University Medical School and holds two postgraduate fellowships, both as a GP (RACGP) and in functional medicine with A5M. Creating awareness, diagnosing, and healing from BII/MCAS is her life mission and commitment. Her focus is to thread together systemic symptoms, drill down to the root causes, and optimise the body terrain to heal. [ https://mergehealth.com/au/team/dr-tania-ash]

Bio: Andi Lew

Andi Lew is a TV host, leading Wellness Expert & certified Wellness and Explant coach. Author of 10 books, including Treasured Chest, Exposing Explants and Empowering You. [ https://andilew.com]

Show Highlights:

Connection Between MCAS and BII (00:09:54)
How MCAS relates to BII, highlighting the immune response to foreign bodies
The Role of Mast Cells (00:11:07)
Mast cells function in the body, and their connection to inflammatory responses in BII
Body's Healing Mechanisms (00:12:07)
The body's natural healing processes and how they relate to the challenges posed by breast implants
Understanding Inflammatory Responses (00:13:24)
Recognizing implants as potential inflammatory drivers in the body
Genetic Predispositions (00:15:19)
Role of genetics in BII and the need for better preoperative counseling regarding risks
Autoimmunity Risks (00:17:16)
Discussing studies showing an increased risk of autoimmunity associated with breast implants
Navigating Patient Decisions (00:18:08)
Challenges of helping patients make informed decisions about surgery and the implications of implants
Daily Parasympathetic Practices (00:39:22)
Daily practices like yoga and meditation for nervous system health
Toxic Load and Parasites (00:40:30)
The need to detoxify and address hidden parasites in the body

Links and Resources

Let’s Connect
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breast-implant-illness/id1678143554
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1SPDripbluZKYsC0rwrBdb?si=23ea2cd9f6734667
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drrobertwhitfield?_t=8oQyjO25X5i&_r=1
IG: https://www.instagram.com/breastimplantillnessexpert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobertWhitfield
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-robert-whitfield-md-50775b10/
X: https://x.com/rob_whitfieldmd
Read this article - https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/implant-reconstruction/illness/breast-implant-illness
Shop: https://drrobssolutions.com
SHARP: https://www.harp.health
NVISN Labs - https://nvisnlabs.com/

Get access to Dr. Rob's Favorite Products below:

Danger Coffee - Use our link for mold free coffee - https://dangercoffee.com/pages/mold-free-coffee?ref=ztvhyjg
JASPR Air Purifier - Use code DRROB for the Jaspr Air Purifier - https://jaspr.co/
Echo Water - Get high quality water with our code DRROB10 - https://echowater.com/
BallancerPro - Use code DRROBVIP for the world's leader in lymphatic drainage technology - https://ballancerpro.com
Ultrahuman - Use code WHITFIELD10 for the most accurate wearable - https://www.ultrahuman.com/ring/buy/us/?affiliateCode=drwhitfield

Episode 101: Dr. Rob Whitfield Explains Breast Implant Illness and the SHARP Program

Robert Whitfield MD — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

We have a fantastic solo episode today with Dr. Rob Whitfield, a board-certified plastic surgeon who's here to shed some light on breast implant illness, or BII, and how it's managed.

Dr. Whitfield kicks things off by introducing us to the SHARP program. This isn't just any program; it's all about tackling chronic inflammation. How, you ask? Through some pretty cool methods like genetic testing, checking out environmental toxins, and making sure your gut health is in tip-top shape.

We dive into the nitty-gritty of BII symptoms and why it's crucial to remove the entire implant capsule during explant surgery. Dr. Whitfield also shares some eye-opening research on how bacterial contamination might be linked to BII.

But it's not just about the ****science. Dr. Whitfield is all about empowering women with the knowledge and resources they need. Whether you're thinking about explant surgery or are on the road to recovery, he's got your back with support and encouragement for proactive health management.

So, grab your headphones and get comfy—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Show Highlights

Introduction to Breast Implant Illness (00:00:03)
Breast implant illness and its impact on women's health
Overview of the SHARP Program (00:01:25)
Explanation of the SHARP program for managing chronic inflammation related to breast implants
Genetic Testing and MTHFR (00:02:34)
Discussion on genetic testing and the role of MTHFR in nutrient utilization and inflammation
Environmental Toxins (00:03:39)
Insight into environmental toxins like glyphosate and their effects on health
Mycotoxins and Mold Sensitivity (00:04:48)
Exploration of mycotoxins from mold and their impact on patients' health
Heavy Metals and Gut Health (00:04:48)
Importance of testing for heavy metals and assessing gut health pre-operatively
Chronic Inflammatory Symptoms (00:08:13)
Overview of common symptoms associated with breast implant illness and chronic inflammation
Research on Bacterial Contamination (00:09:21)
Recent studies showing the link between bacterial contamination and breast implant illness symptoms
Aesthetic Considerations in Explant Surgery (00:10:28)
Challenges and considerations regarding aesthetics after explant surgery

Links and Resources

Let’s Connect...
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breast-implant-illness/id1678143554
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1SPDripbluZKYsC0rwrBdb?si=23ea2cd9f6734667
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drrobertwhitfield?_t=8oQyjO25X5i&_r=1
IG: https://www.instagram.com/breastimplantillnessexpert/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobertWhitfield
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-robert-whitfield-md-50775b10/
X: https://x.com/rob_whitfieldmd
Read this article - https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/implant-reconstruction/illness/breast-implant-illness
Shop: https://drrobssolutions.com
SHARP: https://www.harp.health
NVISN Labs - https://nvisnlabs.com/

Get access to Dr. Rob's Favorite Products below:
Danger Coffee - Use our link for mold free coffee - https://dangercoffee.com/pages/mold-free-coffee?ref=ztvhyjg
JASPR Air Purifier - Use code DRROB for the Jaspr Air Purifier - https://jaspr.co/
Echo Water - Get high quality water with our code DRROB10 - https://echowater.com/
BallancerPro - Use code DRROBVIP for the world's leader in lymphatic drainage technology - https://ballancerpro.com
Ultrahuman - Use code WHITFIELD10 for the most accurate wearable - https://www.ultrahuman.com/ring/buy/us/?affiliateCode=drwhitfield

Episode 98: ENCORE: Are Your Breast Implants Making You Sick? with Dr. Robert Whitfield

Robert Whitfield MD — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Women who believe their implants are making them sick report a wide range of symptoms including extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache, brain fog, hair loss, rashes, dry mouth and eyes, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

These conditions appear within a few months to several years following surgery and seem to follow a secondary surgery like revision or exchange. However, the exact cause is difficult to pin down because other conditions, like Lyme disease and toxic mold exposure, can cause similar symptoms.

Using PCR testing (instead of traditional CLIA-based lab testing), Dr. Rob discovered that over 60% of the breast implants he removed all had one thing in common.

Dr. Robert Whitfield describes his methodology for identifying this complicated, misunderstood condition and shares his treatment strategies utilizing nutrition and genetic testing to put his patients on the path to healing.

For more healing resources created by Dr. Rob, visit our store - Dr. Rob's Solutions at https://drrobssolutions.myshopify.com.

Show Highlights:

Causes of BII (00:03:56)
Biofilm and its significant contribution to breast implant illness cases
What is Biofilm? (00:04:56)
Explanation of biofilm as a bacterial or fungal contaminant affecting health and inflammation
Environmental Factors (00:05:26)
Environmental exposures, like mold and Lyme disease, and their role in BII symptoms
Gut Health and Immune Response (00:07:43)
Gut health's impact on immune function and overall wellness in BII patients
Identifying Symptoms and Providers (00:10:12)
How to identify symptoms and seek appropriate medical guidance for BII
Explant Surgery Options (00:10:12)
Overview of surgical options available for patients considering explant surgery
Symptom Abatement Timeline (00:11:20)
Discussion on the expected timeline for symptom improvement after explant surgery
Pathology and Testing (00:12:36)
Importance of laboratory analysis in evaluating post-surgery health and contamination
Nutritional Support and Genetic Testing (00:13:50)
The role of nutrition and genetic predisposition testing in managing BII
Cautions on Online Medical Advice (00:15:13)
Warnings against seeking medical advice from unqualified sources online

Links and Resources

Episode 3: Are Your Breast Implants Making You Sick?

Robert Whitfield MD — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0400

These conditions appear within a few months to several years following surgery, and seem to more often follow a secondary surgery like revision or exchange. But the exact cause is difficult to pin down because other conditions like Lyme disease and toxic mold exposure can cause similar symptoms.

Using PCR testing (instead of traditional CLIA-based lab testing), Dr. Rob discovered that over 60% of the breast implants he removed all had one thing in common.

Dr. Robert Whit describes his methodology for identifying this complicated, misunderstood condition and shares his treatment strategies utilizing nutrition and genetic testing to put his patients on the path to healing.

For more healing resources created by Dr. Rob, visit our store - Dr. Rob's Solutions at https://drrobssolutions.myshopify.com

Links and Resources: