Do you have breast implants? Have you thought about getting them or do you know others with them? 

The conversation about breast implants' impact on health is a real one for a lot of women.

We get into all the cases:

• You have implants and feel fine 
• You have implants and are feeling symptoms you have just chalked up to menopause 

Whether for yourself, or to share with a friend or daughter, this one doesn’t end with breast implants. It only starts there. 

Stay all the way to the end for the no-cut facelift details! 

 

My Guest:

Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD is AMERICA’S BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS EXPERT™ with over 25 years of experience as a plastic surgeon and more than 16 years board-certified. He specializes in Breast Implant Illness (BII), explant surgery, and advanced cosmetic procedures like his signature “No-Cut” Facelift.

He is also the creator of SHARP (Strategic Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program)—a protocol designed to reduce inflammation and support both pre- and post-surgical healing.

Dr. Whitfield earned his medical degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, followed by surgical training and a plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center, and a microsurgery fellowship in Nevada. He later taught at the Medical College of Wisconsin before moving to Austin in 2012. He began private practice in 2017.

 

Questions We Answer in This Episode:

• [00:07:42] What is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?
• [00:08:01] What are the BII signs and symptoms?
• [00:08:43] Why does BII occur, and how common is it?
• [00:15:36] What to do if you suspect you have BII? What tests are available? Is there a holistic approach?
• [00:22:52] Is it covered by insurance? 
• [00:22:36] How is BII treated?
• [00:30:11] What is the No-cut Facelift?

 

What is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?

Chronic inflammatory response to breast implants. Implants are foreign bodies which may cause ~29% chance of bacterial contamination, not mold.

 

What are the Symptoms?

• Brain fog
• Fatigue and loss of motivation
• Gastrointestinal issues (e.g. bloating)
• Joint pain
• Hormonal imbalance
• Thyroid dysfunction

 

What to Do If You Suspect BII?

• Educate yourself through long-form content and patient stories
• Consider testing for:
  • Detox capabilities
  • Hormonal panels
  • Gut health and infections
• Look into explant surgery with comprehensive detox and recovery (e.g. SHARP protocol)

 

The No-Cut Facelift

Designed to lift and rejuvenate without surgery or visible scars

The Procedure:

• Fiber optics for deep neck tightening
• FaceTite (radiofrequency tightening beneath the skin)
• Micro-coring: removes tiny pieces of skin to tighten surface without visible scars

Benefits:

• Natural results with minimal scarring
• Boosts collagen production
• Customizable depending on the patient’s skin, hormones, and detox status

 

Key Takeaways

• BII is real and often overlooked, frequently mistaken for menopause or autoimmune disorders.
• Chronic inflammation and bacterial contamination (not mold) are major culprits.
• A new biomarker test (oxylipin 10-HOME) could soon improve diagnosis.
• Personal genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposure significantly influence risk.
• Explant surgery should be holistic, addressing toxins, hormones, and gut health before and after.
• No-Cut Facelift, a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, is a safer, scar-free alternative to traditional facelifts, emphasizing natural results.

 

Connect with Dr. Robert:

• Website of Dr. Robert
• Facebook - Dr. Robert Whitfield
• Instagram - @breastimplantillnessexpert
• YouTube - @breastimplantillnessexpert
• Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Explant Breast Surgery & Recovery

 

Other Episodes You Might Like:

• Previous Episode - Is This Perimenopause or Something Else?
• More Like This - Younger for Life with America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon®

 

Resources:

• Short & Easy Exercise videos in this 5 Day Flip Challenge.
• Get the planner to track your menopause health habits with the 90 Day Planner: Tracking the Flip.
• Get ready to lift, tone, and turn heads with the The Ultimate Glute Challenge.
• Flip the switch on your midlife metabolism with the Metabolism Makeover 2.0.