Serving San Antonio & South Central Texas

BII Surgical Program — San Antonio, TX

San Antonio patients dealing with breast implant illness 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, capsule biology, and complete capsulectomy — backed by published research and FDA testimony.

The surgical program centers on en bloc 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

BII Surgical Specialist

Why San Antonio Patients Choose Dr. Whitfield

San Antonio has board-certified plastic surgeons who perform breast implant removal. 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 BII 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 PCR molecular pathology research — 694 capsules, 29% bacterial contamination
PCR capsule testing on every capsulectomy patient
En bloc capsulectomy as the primary approach
The SHARP Method — named, tiered recovery protocol
FDA testimony on breast implant safety
2,000+ explant procedures performed
Patients from 40+ states and 15 countries
Combined capsulectomy + 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio. The SHARP Method recovery protocol supports patients regardless of where they live.

San Antonio Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I travel to Austin for BII surgery instead of seeing a San Antonio surgeon?

San Antonio has general and plastic surgeons who perform breast implant removal. The clinical question is whether your San Antonio surgeon runs a dedicated BII surgical program built around en bloc capsulectomy, PCR pathology on every specimen, and published capsule research. 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.

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.

How is an Austin stay planned after surgery?

The Austin stay is planned around the procedure, capsule findings, and any combined treatment. Dr. Whitfield's team provides individualized travel and follow-up guidance during surgical planning.

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.

Not ready to book? Download the free Inflammation Support Guide to start your journey.