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

Episode 123: A Breast Explant Journey: From Sickness to Restored Health with Candice Barley

July 3rd, 2025  |  1 hr 36 mins

breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, candice barley, dr. robert whitfield

Not every breast explant journey looks the same, but when you hear these stories over and over again, the similarities are remarkable. Today, Candice Barley shares her breast implant illness journey with Dr. Rob. Candice's story is one of hope and ultimately a return to health. If you are struggling with Breast Implant Illness, there is hope for you as well.

Episode 80: The Hidden Dangers of Breast Implants: Jacqui Nelson's Explant Journey

August 22nd, 2024  |  52 mins 48 secs

anti-inflammatory diet, brain fog, breast explant surgery, breast implant removal, breast implant symproms, chronic fatigue, elimination diet, implant illness, inflammation

In this episode, Dr. Rob Whitfield, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast implant illness, converses with his patient, Jacqui Nelson, about her journey with breast implants. Jacqui shares her initial motivations for getting implants, her experiences with both saline and silicone implants, and the various health challenges she faced, including brain fog, chronic fatigue, and systemic inflammation. She discusses her decision to undergo explant surgery and the subsequent improvements in her health. The episode emphasizes the importance of awareness, informed decision-making, and a supportive community for those dealing with breast implant illness.

Episode 79: From Illness to Wellness: Allie Janszen’s Journey of Breast Implant Removal

August 15th, 2024  |  41 mins 51 secs

brain health, breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, inflamation reduction, post-surgery fatigue, sleep scores, support for breast implant illness

While breast implants are designed to enhance physical appearance or reconstruct breast tissue, they can sometimes lead to unintended health complications. For some individuals, the presence of implants may trigger a range of symptoms known as breast implant illness (BII), including fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive issues. These complications can occur as the body responds to foreign materials, potentially exacerbating pre-existing health conditions or causing new ones.

The impact of breast implants on overall health can be significant. That is why understanding the potential risks is important for those considering breast implants or experiencing symptoms that may be related to them.

This episode with our patient, Allie Janszen, focuses on breast implant illness and her removal journey as she shares her personal experiences with the health challenges related to breast implants and how their implant removal led to significant improvements in her well-being.

Episode 74: ENCORE: How Long Does Breast Explant Surgery and Recovery Take?

July 11th, 2024  |  8 mins 32 secs

breast implant removal, breast implants, breast surgery, explant risks, explant surgery, implant removal

There are many reasons why women undergo breast explant surgery. Although some women do breast explant because they don’t want them anymore, some opt for breast explant surgery due to health issues or complications such as capsular contracture (scar tissue tightening around the implant), rupture, infection, or chronic pain.

Knowing the expected recovery time gives people reasonable expectations regarding their healing process. It prepares them for the temporary limits and pain they may encounter during this period, which can help lessen worries. In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about how long breast explant surgery and recovery take.

Episode 72: A Breast Explant Journey: From Sickness to Restored Health with Candice Barley

June 27th, 2024  |  1 hr 36 mins

breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal

Not every breast explant journey looks the same, but when you hear these stories over and over again, the similarities are remarkable. Today, Candice Barley shares her breast implant illness journey with Dr. Rob. Candice's story is one of hope and ultimately a return to health. If you are struggling with Breast Implant Illness, there is hope for you as well.

Episode 68: Navigating Breast Implant Surgery Risks with Dr. Thomas Chung

May 30th, 2024  |  32 mins 32 secs

breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, breast implants, dr. robert whitfield, dr. thomas chung, fat transfer and breast augmentation

Breast implants are said to be a transformative solution for individuals seeking aesthetic enhancement or breast reconstruction. However, beneath their promise of confidence and beauty lie potential risks that are often overlooked. Breast Implant Illness (BII) underscores the importance of thorough patient education and informed consent, highlighting the complexities and implications associated with implants. That is why there is a need for us to raise more awareness about the realities of breast implant surgery, ensuring that patients are fully informed about the risks and potential consequences.

I'm thrilled to introduce our guest for today's episode – Dr. Thomas Chung. We share a similar background in terms of experience and training, which initially intrigued me since he has a clear and insightful understanding of breast implant illness, and we'll delve into that throughout this episode.

Episode 61: Can Breast Implants Be Removed Safely?

April 11th, 2024  |  14 mins 14 secs

breast implant removal, breast implants, explant risks, explant surgery, implant removal

There are instances wherein breast implants may cause some complications. Some women may experience health issues related to breast implants, such as pain, discomfort, or inflammation. Thus, for purposes of easing the pain and diminishing the long-term effects caused by breast implants, many women resort to explants or removal of breast implants.

In today’s episode, we’ll be answering one of the frequently asked questions during and outside consultations as regards breast implants – can they be removed safely?

Episode 57: ENCORE: How You Can Prevent Breast Implant Illness

March 14th, 2024  |  7 mins 19 secs

breast explant surgery, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, breast implant toxicity, dr. robert whitfield

With a number of cases of women being affected by breast implant illness, there’s a need for us to ensure that everyone is fully informed about the risks, benefits and preventions for such illness as it remains to be unrecognized by many.

And that’s why we’re here today! We’ll be talking about how to prevent breast implant illness and the importance of having a reputable and qualified surgeon for your implants.

Episode 54: ENCORE: How Do You Know If You Have Breast Implant Illness?

February 22nd, 2024  |  11 mins 30 secs

breast explant, breast implant illness, breast implant removal, breast reconstruction

Breast implants have been used for a relatively long time now. However, there is not enough research studies or discussions based on its effects which is why Breast Implant Illness (BII) is quite a new topic especially in the medical community and is not yet widely recognized.

Episode 52: ENCORE: Recovery Following Breast Explant Surgery (Breast Implant Removal ) [Part 2]

February 8th, 2024  |  14 mins 30 secs

breast explant surgery, breast implant removal, breast implants, breast reconstruction, plastic surgery

In the second half of our two-part series on recovery following breast implant removal surgery, you’ll hear more about how we help patients recover faster from breast implant removal surgery.