Robert Whitfield MD
Board-certified plastic surgeon, published researcher, FDA hearing witness, former ASERF President, and creator of the SHARP Method. Dedicated to advancing the science of breast implant illness through peer-reviewed research and comprehensive patient care.
Explant Procedures
Peer-Reviewed Publications
YouTube Views
Invited Presentations
Podcast Episodes
Surgery Is Only Part of the Answer
Dr. Whitfield's approach to surgery is built on a fundamental principle: preparation determines outcome. After performing thousands of explant procedures and analyzing hundreds of capsule tissue samples through PCR testing, he recognized that the standard surgical model — operate first, manage complications later — was failing patients.
This insight led to the creation of the SHARP Method (Strategic Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program), a comprehensive protocol that prepares the body biologically before surgery, uses precision surgical technique with PCR tissue analysis, and engineers the recovery process through structured follow-up care.
His philosophy extends beyond the operating room. Through 3,000+ patient education videos, two published books, 160+ podcast episodes, and active research, Dr. Whitfield has built one of the largest patient education platforms in plastic surgery — giving patients the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
"You deserve a surgeon who prepares you — not just operates on you."
Board Certification & Fellowship Designation
Board Certification
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) — the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties for the full scope of plastic surgery.
FACS — Fellowship Designation
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) is a prestigious fellowship designation — not a board certification — awarded to surgeons who demonstrate competence, ethical fitness, and commitment to surgical excellence and continuing education.
Clinical Focus
Specializing in explant surgery, capsulectomy, fat transfer, and the SHARP Method — a comprehensive treatment protocol for breast implant illness patients.
Academic Background & Surgical Training
Microsurgery & Hand Fellowship
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
Fellowship Director: Dr. William Zamboni — the first chair of general surgery and chief of plastic surgery in the United States.
Plastic Surgery Residency
Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
General Surgery Residency
Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV
Bachelor of Science (BS)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Professional Leadership & Offices Held
Aesthetic Surgery Education & Research Foundation (ASERF)
The philanthropic research and education arm of The Aesthetic Society
BII Task Force Vice Chair
Appointed by Aesthetic Society President Dr. Grant Stevens to serve as Vice Chair of the Breast Implant Illness Task Force — leading the society's research and policy response to BII.
Austin Society of Plastic Surgeons
Elected President in 2013. Led the regional society's educational programs and member engagement initiatives.
ASRM Young Microsurgeons Group
In 2009, Dr. Whitfield was appointed by his fellowship director Dr. William Zamboni to the inaugural class of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) Young Microsurgeons Group — the first cohort of its kind. He subsequently chaired the group, marking the beginning of a leadership trajectory that would carry him from the first Young Microsurgeons Group to the presidency of ASERF.
Appointed 2009 • Chaired group
Testimony Before the FDA General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel
On March 26, 2019, Dr. Whitfield testified before the FDA's General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel in his capacity as President-Elect of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) and Vice Chair of the Breast Implant Illness Task Force. At a time when breast implant illness was still widely dismissed by the medical establishment, he presented ASERF's funded research initiatives — including his own study on biofilm DNA analysis and genetic predisposition in BII patients.
His testimony outlined two ASERF-funded studies: a qualitative pilot study using validated instruments (BREAST-Q) to assess BII symptoms, and his own research on PCR-based analysis of explant capsule tissue for bacterial, fungal, and DNA markers. This testimony contributed to the FDA's subsequent actions, including the black box warning on breast implants and increased informed consent requirements.
"In that capacity, I am working to identify evidence-based research to better understand breast implant illness and breast implant-associated ALCL. This research will then be used to educate the surgeons and benefit the patients associated."— Dr. Robert Whitfield, FDA Hearing Transcript, p. 449
15 Peer-Reviewed Publications
Dr. Whitfield's research spans breast implant biofilm analysis, reconstructive microsurgery, sarcoma reconstruction, and clinical outcomes. His 2024 PCR capsule study is the largest of its kind in the world.
Clinical Evaluation of Microbial Communities and Associated Biofilms with Breast Augmentation Failure
Tipton CD, Diaz N, Ancira J, Landry KS, Whitfield RM
Microorganisms. 2024 Sep 4;12(9):1830.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in lower extremity free tissue transfers
McMains CC, Mather TL, Adamson KA, Whitfield R, Doren EL, Hettinger PC, LoGiudice JA
Microsurgery. 2023 Jun 20.
Making Fat Transfer to Buttocks Safer
Whitfield RM, Rios LM Jr, DiBernardo BE
Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Oct 16;37(10):1199-1200.
The Effect of Smoking and Major Vein Resection on Post-Therapy Lymphedema in Soft Tissue Sarcomas Treated With Neoadjuvant Radiation and Limb-Salvage Surgery
Bedi M, King DM, Whitfield R, Hackbarth DA, Neilson JC, Charlson JA, Wang D
Am J Clin Oncol. 2013 Apr 3.
Prognostic variables in patients with primary soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity and trunk treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy or neoadjuvant sequential chemoradiotherapy
Bedi M, King DM, Shivakoti M, Wang T, Zambrano EV, Charlson J, Hackbarth D, Neilson J, Whitfield R, Wang D
Radiat Oncol. 2013 Mar 14;8:60.
Published Books by Dr. Whitfield
The SHARP Method
The definitive guide to Dr. Whitfield's Strategic Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program — covering pre-surgical optimization, genetic testing, precision surgery, and engineered recovery for breast implant illness patients.
Breast Implants, Explant Surgery, and Breast Implant Illness
A comprehensive patient-focused guide to understanding breast implant-related health concerns, the explant surgery process, and the science behind breast implant illness — written for patients researching their options.
51+ Invited Presentations Worldwide
Dr. Whitfield has been invited to present at major medical conferences across 4 continents, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and international societies in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and the UK.
International
UK, Canada, Mexico, Colombia
National
ASPS, ASAPS, ASRM, A4M
Regional
Midwest Association
Local
Grand Rounds, Symposia
Notable Presentations Include:
- "Does Biofilm Play a Role in Breast Implant Illness" — American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Las Vegas, 2022
- "Improving Aesthetic Outcomes in Breast Reconstruction" — Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery, Cali, 2016
- Multiple Maintenance of Certification courses — ASPS Annual Meetings (2008–2013)
- Panelist and Moderator — ASAPS Annual Meetings (2011–2017)
Recognition for Excellence in Plastic Surgery
Professional Society Memberships
One of the Largest Patient Education Platforms in Plastic Surgery
YouTube Views
Over 500 patient education videos covering breast implant illness, explant surgery, the SHARP Method, and recovery protocols.
YouTube ChannelPodcast Episodes
Dr. Whitfield's podcast features in-depth conversations with patients, researchers, and practitioners on breast implant illness, recovery, and holistic health.
Browse EpisodesGuest Appearances
Featured on The Skinny Confidential, Burn it Nutrition, JJ Virgin, Dave Asprey, Mark Sisson, and dozens of other leading health and wellness podcasts.
View All AppearancesFeatured in Film & Media
Dr. Whitfield's work has been recognized by documentary filmmakers and media outlets for its pioneering approach to surgical preparation and recovery.
NewBeauty • Issue #56
"An Integrated Approach"
"I set the bar very high for patient safety and expectations."
Full-page profile in NewBeauty magazine highlighting Dr. Whitfield's philosophy of combining surgical skill with the latest technology to deliver transformative results with faster recovery. Described by patients as "honest, trustworthy, professional."
Career-defining moment: his sister's breast cancer diagnosis two weeks after he started medical school — the event that led him to dedicate his career to breast reconstruction and, ultimately, explant surgery.
View NewBeauty profile →KSL.com • December 13, 2006
More Natural Look, Reduced Pain in New Breast Reconstructions
Syndicated by KSL.com from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this 2006 feature profiled Dr. Whitfield's pioneering DIEP free flap breast reconstruction work at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin — one of his earliest major media appearances, documenting an 8-hour microsurgical procedure that restored natural breast form for a patient who had suffered years of pain from failed implants.
"Many women have trouble with their implants, and like our patient, have never been given the option by their doctors."Read article →
SHEALED Documentary
Dr. Whitfield is featured in the SHEALED documentary, produced by Lolli Brands. The film explores the untold stories of patients navigating implant-related health challenges and the surgeons pioneering new approaches to care. SHEALED is launching at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026.
Biohack Yourself
Also produced by Lolli Brands, the Biohack Yourself documentary and magazine feature Dr. Whitfield's work on fat transfer as "The Biohack No One Talks About" — positioning the procedure as a cutting-edge approach to body optimization.
NewBeauty • March 24, 2020
Breast Implant Removal with En Bloc Capsulectomy
NewBeauty featured Dr. Whitfield's explant expertise in this before-and-after case study. He performed a breast implant removal with en bloc capsulectomy and doughnut lift — a technically demanding procedure that removes the implant and its surrounding capsule as a single intact unit, minimizing contamination risk.
En bloc capsulectomy is central to Dr. Whitfield's approach to explant surgery and the SHARP Method protocol.
View on NewBeauty →NewBeauty • March 24, 2020
Lip Enhancement with Filler
Also featured in NewBeauty, this case demonstrates Dr. Whitfield's commitment to natural-looking aesthetic results. Using dermal fillers, he enhanced a patient's lips to give her the fuller pout she desired — achieving a result that looks entirely natural, not overdone.
"Gives her a natural-looking result." — NewBeautyView on NewBeauty →
The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast • Episode #572
Lauryn Bosstick's Explant Surgery with Dr. Whitfield
Dr. Whitfield's most high-profile guest appearance. Lauryn Bosstick — one of the most influential wellness voices online — shares her personal explant journey and the groundbreaking sauna discovery that revealed her implant rupture.
Listen on Apple Podcasts →Burn it Nutrition Podcast • Episode 196 • February 24, 2026
Why Some Women Get Sick After Breast Implants — And Why Removal Isn't Always Enough
Dr. Whitfield joins host Joseph Navarro to discuss why some women develop systemic illness after breast augmentation, the genetic sensitivities that increase risk, why explant surgery alone doesn't always resolve symptoms, and how the SHARP Method addresses the root causes of ongoing inflammation. Topics include hormonal balance, the body's response to foreign objects, and what women should consider before implant surgery.
Topics Covered
- Breast reconstruction → explant journey
- How the body responds to foreign objects
- Genetic sensitivity to implants
- Why explant surgery doesn't always resolve symptoms
- Implants and hormonal balance
- What women should consider before implant surgery
- The SHARP Method
About Dr. Whitfield
You Deserve a Surgeon Who Prepares You, Not Just Operates on You.
Dr. Robert Whitfield has guided thousands of patients through surgical decisions with clarity, data, and a personalized plan. Your consultation is where that plan begins.
Not ready to book? Download the free Inflammation Support Guide to start your journey.