Breast Implants, Explant Surgery, and Breast Implant Illness with Robert Whitfield MD

Episode 51: From Implants to Insight: A Comprehensive Look at Breast Implant Illness with Casey Araujo

February 1st, 2024  |  40 mins 58 secs

breast implant illness, breast implant removal, breast implant removal surgery, breast implant surgery, breast implants, explant surgery

In recent years, the prevalence of health issues associated with breast implant surgery has gained significant attention within the medical community and among patients. This heightened awareness has shed light on a condition known as Breast Implant Illness (BII), which is characterized by various symptoms ranging from inflammation and chronic fatigue to autoimmune responses.

Casey Araujo joins me in today’s episode to offer her valuable insight into the aspects of breast implant illness, particularly related to breast implant surgery, removal, and post-recovery. This is to raise awareness about breast implant illness and advocate for a holistic approach to surgical care, emphasizing the importance of mindset, lifestyle modifications, and social support systems in achieving optimal outcomes.

Episode 48: ENCORE: Breast Implant Removal Surgery (Breast Explant Surgery)

January 11th, 2024  |  23 mins 56 secs

bloc capsulectomy, breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, explant surgery techniques, plastic surgery, precise total capsulectomy, total capsulectomy

Because there are so many unknowns for women with breast implant illness, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to each and every breast implant removal surgery is as cautious and precise as the treatment of a breast cancer patient.

Episode 47: ENCORE: Your Breast Implant Removal Pre-Op Appointment: What to Expect

January 4th, 2024  |  9 mins 5 secs

breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, dr robs solutions, explant surgery recovery, recovery after breast implant removal

This episode is the essential guide to Dr. Whitfield’s time-tested recommendations for a safe, speedy, and comfortable recovery, including what to wear, when to get up and start walking around, how to eat, and when you can expect to start feeling like yourself again.

Episode 46: ENCORE: Preparing for Breast Implant Removal Surgery

December 28th, 2023  |  11 mins 54 secs

breast implant illness, breast implant removal, breast implant removal surgery, breast implant surgery, breast implants, explant surgery

In the weeks leading up to surgery, Dr. Rob’s comprehensive pre- and post-op program investigates for other issues like Lyme disease, environmental exposure, or micronutrient deficiencies, and tests for thyroid conditions and hormonal imbalances.

Episode 45: ENCORE: What to Expect from A Breast Implant Illness (BII) Consultation

December 21st, 2023  |  14 mins 1 sec

autoimmune reactions, breast implant illness, breast implants, chronic fatigue, chronic inflammation, cognitive issues, consultation with doctor, inflammation, joint pain

A breast implant illness consultation (or discovery session, as we like to call it) with Dr. Rob is an in-depth exploration of symptoms and potential causes of BII. The purpose of the discovery session is for women affected by this chronic illness to get much-needed answers.

Having consulted with over 800 patients, Dr. Robert Whitfield is well-versed in the patterns and symptoms affecting women experiencing chronic illness. Thorough and cohesive, the discovery session addresses a range of conditions including brain fog, GI issues, diet, and autoimmune disease, eliminating the need for multiple specialists.

Episode 44: ENCORE: Are Your Breast Implants Making You Sick?

December 14th, 2023  |  18 mins 12 secs

breast implant illness, breast implants, chronic aches and pains, extreme fatigue, general malaise, joint pain, pcr testing

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 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. Rob 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.

Episode 43: 43: Gut Problems and Breast Implant Illness

December 7th, 2023  |  10 mins 53 secs

breast health, breast implant illness, breast implants, food sensitivity test, gi map, gut biome, gut health, menstrual health, women's health

Frequently in my practice, in addition to dealing with cases related to breast implant illness, I encounter patients experiencing gastrointestinal issues. That is why it’s vital to shed light on the complex interplay between breast health and gut health, prompting a comprehensive approach to address the multifaceted nature of these health concerns.

Addressing issues in the gut is crucial as it significantly impacts gut health and overall well-being. This episode focuses on actionable steps for individuals seeking to optimize their gut health.

Episode 42: ENCORE: What the Lab Actually Found On My BII Patient’s Breast Implants

November 30th, 2023  |  15 mins 20 secs

breast implant illness, breast implants, chronic aches and pains, extreme fatigue, general malaise, pcr testing

Episode 40: What Are the Treatment Options for Breast Implant Illness?

November 16th, 2023  |  7 mins 14 secs

autoimmune reactions, breast implant illness, breast implants, chronic fatigue, chronic inflammation, cognitive issues, inflammation, joint pain

Breast implant illness continues to be a condition struggling for recognition within the medical community. While this condition entails various symptoms that can be as diverse as chronic fatigue, joint pain, cognitive issues, and even autoimmune reactions, making it a complex and often perplexing condition to diagnose and treat, the approach to treating breast implant illness has evolved significantly over the years.

In this episode, we delve into the treatment options for breast implant illness, exploring the journey from surgical removal to a more personalized and holistic approach aimed at addressing the root causes of this condition and restoring patients' health and well-being.

Episode 39: Are Certain Types of Implants More Likely to Cause Breast Implant Illness?

November 9th, 2023  |  7 mins 7 secs

breast augmentation, breast implant illness, breast implant illness symptoms, breast implant migration, breast implants, breast reconstruction

One of the frequent significant concerns that I get concerning Breast Implant Illness (BII) is its potential association with the type of breast implants used. This is in line with health issues regarding some implants like textured implants, which have garnered more attention due to their close connection to conditions like anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

As we aim to uncover more about the complexities surrounding breast implant illness, this is another episode that will surely provide insights into the potential influence of various implant characteristics on the development of breast implant illness.