Robert Whitfield,MD
Serving Houston & Southeast Texas

Breast Implant Removal — Houston, TX

Houston women seeking breast implant removal deserve a specialist, not a generalist. Dr. Robert Whitfield is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, TX whose entire practice is dedicated to breast implant removal, breast implant illness, and complete capsulectomy — backed by published research and FDA testimony.

Breast implant removal — also called explant surgery — is available for Houston-area patients through individualized evaluation and coordinated care.

Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD • 2.5 hours by car or 45 min flight from Houston • 1,000+ implant removal Procedures

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BII Specialist

Why Houston Patients Choose Dr. Whitfield

Houston has board-certified plastic surgeons who offer breast implant removal. What Houston does not have is a surgeon with published capsule pathology research, PCR testing on every patient, FDA testimony on breast implant safety, or a named recovery protocol designed specifically for BII patients.

Dr. Whitfield’s practice in Austin is 2.5 hours by car or 45 min flight from Houston from Houston. Most patients complete their consultation remotely, then travel to Austin for surgery.

What No Local Surgeon Can Offer

✓Published PCR molecular pathology research — 694 capsules, 29% bacterial contamination
✓PCR capsule testing on every implant removal patient
✓En bloc capsulectomy as the primary approach
✓The SHARP Method — named, tiered recovery protocol
✓FDA testimony on breast implant safety
✓1,000+ implant removal procedures performed
✓Patients from 40+ states and 15 countries
✓Combined implant removal + fat transfer expertise

Published research: Whitfield R, Tipton CD, Diaz N, Ancira J, Landry KS. Microorganisms. 2024 Sep 4;12(9):1830. View on PubMed →

Your Path

What to Expect as a Houston Patient

1

Discovery Call (remote)

A structured call with Dr. Whitfield’s team. Review of symptoms, implant history, imaging, and goals. No travel required.

2

Surgical consultation (remote or in-person)

Full surgical planning can be completed by video. Pre-operative labs and imaging can be arranged locally in Houston and submitted in advance.

3

Surgery in Austin

Travel to Austin for surgery at a certified surgical facility. The care team provides discharge guidance based on the individual surgical plan.

4

Recovery with the SHARP Method

A brief post-operative period in Austin is recommended before returning to Houston. The SHARP Method recovery protocol supports patients regardless of where they live.

Houston Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston has the Texas Medical Center — why should I travel to Austin?

The Texas Medical Center is exceptional for hospital-based care, cancer treatment, and complex reconstructive procedures. For breast implant illness as a standalone specialty — including complete capsulectomy, PCR capsule pathology, and structured BII recovery — the specialization depth that defines this practice does not exist at any Houston institution. The Texas Medical Center is not where BII specialty care lives; this practice is.

Can I do everything remotely before traveling to Austin?

Yes. Virtual consultations are the recommended first step. Dr. Whitfield reviews your imaging, implant history, and symptom profile remotely. Most Houston patients complete the entire pre-operative process from home and only travel to Austin for the surgery itself and immediate post-operative follow-up. Subsequent follow-up is available via telehealth.

What if my implants were placed by a Houston surgeon?

The placing surgeon's identity and location have no bearing on your candidacy for treatment. Dr. Whitfield treats patients whose implants were placed anywhere — any surgeon, any city, any country.

I had implant removal in Houston and still have symptoms. Can Dr. Whitfield help?

Yes. This is one of the most common presentations in this practice. Patients who had implant removal elsewhere — often simple removal without complete capsulectomy — and continue to have BII symptoms frequently have retained capsule as the ongoing driver. Dr. Whitfield evaluates these revision cases during consultation and determines whether secondary capsulectomy is indicated.

What does the PCR testing actually tell me that standard pathology doesn't?

Standard culture pathology — what most Houston surgeons use — detects zero bacterial contamination in breast implant capsules. Dr. Whitfield's published research tested 694 capsules using PCR (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and found 29% positive for bacterial contamination — 103 distinct species. That contamination was undetectable by standard culture in every case. PCR tells you specifically which bacterial species were colonizing your capsule — information that explains your symptom profile and guides post-operative support. ---

Do you offer explant surgery for Houston patients?

Yes. Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD provides explant surgery in Austin for Houston patients, with remote consultation and individualized travel planning.

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Your Next Step

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.

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