Explant Surgery — San Antonio, TX
San Antonio women seeking explant surgery deserve a specialist, not a generalist. Dr. Robert Whitfield is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, TX whose entire practice is dedicated to explant surgery, breast implant illness, and complete capsulectomy — backed by published research and FDA testimony.
Every explant includes total capsulectomy — available for San Antonio-area patients through individualized evaluation and coordinated care.
Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD • 80 miles — 1.5 hours by car from San Antonio • 2,000+ explant Procedures
Why San Antonio Patients Choose Dr. Whitfield
San Antonio has board-certified plastic surgeons who perform explant surgery. What the area 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 explant patients.
Dr. Whitfield’s practice in Austin is about 80 miles — 1.5 hours by car — from San Antonio, making a same-day consultation or short surgical visit practical.
What No Local Surgeon Can Offer
Published research: Whitfield R, Tipton CD, Diaz N, Ancira J, Landry KS. Microorganisms. 2024 Sep 4;12(9):1830. View on PubMed →
What to Expect as a San Antonio Patient
Discovery Call (remote)
A structured call with Dr. Whitfield’s team. Review of implant history, symptoms, imaging, and goals. No travel required.
Surgical consultation (remote or in-person)
Full surgical planning can be completed by video. Pre-operative labs and imaging can be arranged locally in San Antonio and submitted in advance.
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.
Recovery with the SHARP Method
A brief post-operative period in Austin is recommended before returning to San Antonio. The SHARP Method recovery protocol supports patients regardless of where they live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I travel to Austin for explant surgery instead of seeing a San Antonio surgeon?
San Antonio has surgeons who perform explant surgery. The clinical question is whether your San Antonio surgeon performs PCR pathology on every capsule specimen, uses total capsulectomy as standard, and has published research on capsule biology. If your San Antonio surgeon meets all of those, staying local may make sense. If not, the short trip to Austin is worth evaluating.
Can I do my consultation virtually before traveling to Austin?
Yes. Virtual consultations are the recommended first step for out-of-city patients. Dr. Whitfield reviews implant history, imaging, and symptoms remotely, and most San Antonio patients complete their entire pre-operative process virtually.
Can volume be restored at the same time as explant for San Antonio patients?
Yes. Explant with fat transfer removes the implants and capsule while restoring natural volume using the patient's own tissue in a single stage — a popular option for patients who do not want another device placed.
Is the drive from San Antonio manageable for surgery and recovery?
Yes. Austin is roughly 80 miles — about 1.5 hours by car — from San Antonio, which makes a same-day consultation visit or a short surgical stay practical for most patients.
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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