Episodios

  • Episode 75: Take Action to Lower Inflammation

    Episode 75: Take Action to Lower Inflammation
    Jul 18 2024
    When inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to various health problems. That's why when it comes to undergoing any medical procedures, it's best to prioritize recovery and lower inflammation. Managing inflammation effectively not only supports faster recovery but also reduces the risk of complications and promotes overall well-being. By taking proactive steps to reduce inflammation, you can support your body's natural healing processes, improve immune function, and promote long-term wellness. Join me in another episode where we delve deeper into practical strategies and lifestyle changes that can effectively lower inflammation and enhance your health journey. Preparation for breast implant surgery, including air quality, water quality, and food quality. I often get asked how to start preparing to lower inflammation. Of course, having a genuine support system greatly helps. Surrounding yourself with supportive family members, friends, or loved ones can provide emotional encouragement and practical assistance, making the process more manageable. This support can be especially crucial when implementing lifestyle changes, ensuring you stay motivated and on track toward achieving your health goals. Focusing on air quality is vital. Personally, this is important to me considering the fact that I had allergies growing up. I highly recommend Jaspr Air Purifiers because they automatically adjust to air quality, which is unique in the market. Another important factor is water quality because filtered water is key to reducing inflammation as it promotes better gut health. That’s why we use Echo filters in our office and surgery center because they do the trick and even reduce oxidative stress. Also, I want to emphasize that I don't recommend adding a lot of minerals or vitamins to your water, as too much can cause issues if you're also taking supplements. Just stick to purified water, and if you use our protein powder, you can mix it in for added benefits. When it comes to food quality, prioritizing organic vegetables is crucial. Organic vegetables are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, meaning they are less likely to contain harmful chemicals like glyphosate. Glyphosate exposure can disrupt hormonal balance, particularly in women, and has been linked to various health issues. By choosing organic, you significantly reduce your risk of ingesting these potentially harmful substances. Furthermore, organic farming practices enhance soil health and biodiversity, leading to more nutrient-dense produce. Organic vegetables often contain higher levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are vital for combating inflammation and supporting overall health. Consuming nutrient-rich foods helps your body maintain optimal functioning and resilience against diseases. I highly suggest checking the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list for guidance on which produce to buy organic and always wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. I also recommend cutting out gluten, minimizing dairy, and avoiding seed oils, as these can be pro-inflammatory. Focusing on organic vegetables is a simple yet impactful step towards reducing inflammation and supporting overall health. Before starting any procedure with us, it's essential to prioritize improving your recovery first. Surgery can trigger inflammation, so managing stress and hormone levels is crucial. Follow the 321321 rule before bed: finish your last meal three hours before bedtime, stop drinking fluids two hours before, and urinate before bed to avoid disturbances. Quality sleep is also vital as it helps in hormone secretion and recovery. In line with this, if you snore, it's best to get tested for sleep apnea, as it can lead to significant health issues. By improving your air, water, and food quality, and following these preparation tips, you'll be well on your way to reducing inflammation and improving your overall health. Links and Resources Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) Follow Dr. Rob on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery ...
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    12 m
  • Episode 74: ENCORE: How Long Does Breast Explant Surgery and Recovery Take?

    Episode 74: ENCORE: How Long Does Breast Explant Surgery and Recovery Take?
    Jul 11 2024
    There are many reasons why women undergo breast explant surgery. Although some women do breast explant because they don’t want them anymore, some opt for breast explant surgery due to health issues or complications such as capsular contracture (scar tissue tightening around the implant), rupture, infection, or chronic pain. Knowing the expected recovery time gives people reasonable expectations regarding their healing process. It prepares them for the temporary limits and pain they may encounter during this period, which can help lessen worries. In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about how long breast explant surgery and recovery take. Optimizing your immune system When you undergo an operation, whether breast explant surgery, breast implant, breast reconstruction, or others, you have to ensure that your immune system is in its optimum state. To optimize your immune pathways, we do genetic testing and saliva tests which normally take a couple of months to get the results. We also conduct urine tests to identify toxicities and inflammation. Another thing that should be taken into consideration is the environment, as it also affects one’s immune system and recovery after a breast explant surgery. If you’re in an environment with molds, you have to be careful as these affect the air quality, which can also negatively impact your health. Optimizing your diet and taking supplements Having a healthy lifestyle boosts the immune system. Diet obviously plays a key role in all of these because if you can't eat and absorb nutrients, you can't recover easily. You have to stay on track with your diet as it limits fluid accumulation by changing your oncotic pressure, which is the protein content in your blood so that you go from a leaky phase or catabolic phase after surgery to an anabolic phase or a non-leaky phase. This helps your swelling to lessen quicker. Optimizing your diet includes an examination of food sensitivities and assessing your body’s food and nutrient absorption. We also have to check if you have bacterial, fungal, or parasitic overgrowth or leaky gut. It’s also important to ensure proper blood work and hormone balance for recovery since women have high levels of cortisol and sometimes estrogen as well, which can prolong recovery. We carefully look into all of these factors, particularly the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone, and optimize them through our supplements to shorten the patient’s recovery time. We also use red light therapy and lymphatic massage. Many of my clients also like to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Generally, it takes one to two weeks of recovery if you’ve had an explant and it’s above the muscle and a couple of weeks - depending on how hard it is to get it out from behind the muscle. However, the recovery period still depends on many factors like your genetics, diet, lifestyle, environment, and hormone balance. If we carefully optimize these, we’ll be able to give you the possible results and decrease the time for recovery. We're also introducing new things to enhance recovery like peptide therapy because we want you to recover as efficiently as possible. Links and Resources Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) Follow Dr. Rob on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning combination.
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    9 m
  • Episode 73: ENCORE: Busting Free with Dr. Amanda Savage Brown

    Episode 73: ENCORE: Busting Free with Dr. Amanda Savage Brown
    Jul 4 2024
    Behind the fascination with augmented breasts is a complex truth that involves a number of experiences such as trauma and the necessity for explants or breast implant removal. While breast implants have provided benefits for many women, they have also been connected with major complications and traumatic experiences. In today’s episode, we are joined by Candice Barley, a breast implant illness patient advocate, and by Dr. Amanda Savage Brown, the author of Busting Free: How to Liberate Yourself from the Quest for Better Breasts Before, During, and Long After Explant. Links and Resources Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) Follow Dr. Rob on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning combination.
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Episode 72: A Breast Explant Journey: From Sickness to Restored Health with Candice Barley

    Episode 72: A Breast Explant Journey: From Sickness to Restored Health with Candice Barley
    Jun 27 2024
    Not every breast explant journey looks the same, but when you hear these stories over and over again, the similarities are remarkable. Today, Candice Barley shares her breast implant illness journey with Dr. Rob. Candice's story is one of hope and ultimately a return to health. If you are struggling with Breast Implant Illness, there is hope for you as well. In our previous episodes, we’ve talked about how inflammation worsens the illness. That’s why we have to figure out whether or not there’s inflammation in the breast implants. So what we do is we work up all the factors that contribute to inflammation by testing through our Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program (HARP) to really prepare the patients and optimize them for surgery. If you want to learn more about HARP, you can secure your seat through this link: https://harp.health/ Links and Resurces Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) For any inquiries or concerns, feel free to connect with us on Instagram (@breastimplantillnessexpert). https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ Try the Echo Hydrogen Water Bottle (https://echowater.com/?oid=21&affid=720) Code is DRROB10. About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning combination.
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    1 h y 36 m
  • Episode 71: What are the Reasons for Having Breast Explant Surgery?

    Episode 71: What are the Reasons for Having Breast Explant Surgery?
    Jun 20 2024
    Breast augmentation or breast implant surgery has become a more popular surgical procedure throughout the years for various reasons. While it has many benefits, it also comes with potential risks such as capsular contracture, infection, breast implant illness, and more. These risks are some of the reasons why many women opt to undergo breast explant surgery. That’s why it’s important to have a qualified plastic surgeon when considering surgery and to carefully assess both the risks and benefits of having breast implant surgery and other procedures. What Are the Reasons for Having Breast Explant Surgery? My main take from the thousands of operations I’ve done is that we don't want to leave biofilm of any quantity in somebody. So what we do is remove all of what’s intact, if possible. Women seek breast explant surgery for many reasons. There are those who want to lessen the pain from symptoms associated with breast implant illness like brain fog, sound and light sensitivity, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or chest tightness, neurologic symptoms in the arms, nerve pain, muscle pain, and joint pain, while some even experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Whereas some are just tired and unhappy with their implants, some undergo breast explant surgery for breast reconstruction because they have issues with the appearance of their breasts. Maybe they’re uncomfortable with the size or maybe there are gaps or capsular contracture. It’s important to carefully consider having breast explant surgery and to have a qualified plastic surgeon whom you can trust. It also helps to have a great support system around you throughout the process. In our Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program, we have staff in place to provide more emotional support. I have several staff members who've had explant surgery, including our patient advocate and leader of our heart program. If they want to discuss this, we have discovery sessions you can participate in as well. The Best Way to Find Out if Your Implant is Inflamed In our previous episodes, we’ve talked about how inflammation worsens the illness. That’s why we have to figure out whether or not there’s inflammation in the breast implants. So what we do is we work up all the factors that contribute to inflammation by testing through our Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program (HARP) to really prepare the patients and optimize them for surgery. If you want to learn more about HARP, you can secure your seat through this link: https://harp.health/ Links and Resurces Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) For any inquiries or concerns, feel free to connect with us on Instagram (@breastimplantillnessexpert). https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ Try the Echo Hydrogen Water Bottle (https://echowater.com/?oid=21&affid=720) Code is DRROB10. About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning combination.
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    7 m
  • Episode 70: Unlocking the Secrets of Stem Cells: Revolutionizing Breast Implants and Beyond

    Episode 70: Unlocking the Secrets of Stem Cells: Revolutionizing Breast Implants and Beyond
    Jun 13 2024
    Over the years, stem cells have gained significant attention for their remarkable ability to transform into various cell types, presenting immense potential for regenerative medicine and treatment for a wide range of diseases. This growing interest has been driven by a series of groundbreaking discoveries and significant advancements in stem cell research. In the context of breast implants and breast implant illness, stem cells offer promising solutions for tissue regeneration and recovery, providing new hope for those seeking alternative treatments. Whether you're curious about the science behind stem cells or considering a procedure involving fat transfer, this episode is packed with valuable insights to guide you on your journey to better health and wellness. Let’s explore more about how stem cells are transforming the medical field, providing new avenues for treatment and recovery. We'll dive into valuable insights and the latest advancements, helping you understand the incredible potential of stem cells and their benefits. Fat transfer surgery for breast augmentation and reconstruction I’ve recently attended several notable conferences where I gained valuable insights and innovations that I’m eager to integrate into our clinic. Some of these advancements include the incorporation of more lymphatic massage techniques, the introduction of NanoVi technology to improve protein folding and recovery, and the use of H-Wave therapy to further enhance lymphatic drainage and aid in patient recovery. For today, however, let’s focus on fat transfers. Drawing from my extensive experience with fat transfers, a technique I’ve refined over many years, I explain that fat transfers are effective because they use the patient’s own tissue, making them autologous and thus free from the risks associated with donor tissues, such as genetic mismatches. Fat transfers are versatile, as adipose-derived stem cells can differentiate into fat cells, bone cells, or cartilage, providing a range of benefits. My initial interest in this technique stemmed from a personal desire to regenerate cartilage in my knees after multiple surgeries, leading to a deep understanding of the procedure’s potential. With extensive experience in sarcoma reconstruction, I can confidently say that fat transfers are safe when performed correctly. It's essential not to transfer fat to areas with existing tumors or sarcomas, as these mesenchymal regions could complicate the procedure. For breast augmentation and reconstruction, fat transfers have been effective for many years, and I have conducted numerous procedures since 2005. Successful outcomes depend on transferring a mixture of adipocytes, vascular cells, and adipose-derived stem cells. This technique requires precise placement of fat in specific areas to avoid complications and ensure proper integration with the surrounding tissue. There were early safety concerns regarding fat transfers for cosmetic purposes, such as buttock augmentation, due to technical issues when the procedure first gained popularity in South America and Miami. However, with advancements in techniques and improved safety measures, fat transfers for both buttock and breast augmentation have become reliable and effective procedures. Fat transfer for breast implant illness, including stem cells and healing When the skin gets really tense, you'll notice a condition called "peau d'orange," where the surface of the skin starts to look like the surface of an orange. This indicates too much pressure and that expansion should stop. Unlike implants, which can hold their shape and maintain more volume, fat cannot be continuously added. The amount of fat that can be added depends on the initial condition of the skin. For younger clients with tight skin, multiple sessions may be needed to gradually increase volume. In cases where I remove implants that have been in place for a long time, often after weight changes, pregnancies, or breastfeeding, the skin is usually stretched out. After removing the implant with its capsular material intact, I don't fill the old implant pocket and instead, place the fat beneath the skin, where it belongs, and let it heal. Adipose-derived stem cells in the fat offer numerous benefits, aiding in wound rejuvenation and healing. They can help turn genes on, produce exosomes, modulate immune responses, and improve mitochondrial function. This is why fat transfers are more than just about the fat itself – they bring substantial healing properties. To maintain the results over time, factors like diet, detoxification ability, and gut health are crucial. We strongly advocate for fat transfers, leveraging the healing power of stem cells. We also offer stem cell harvesting and banking, a process I personally undergo every three to six months. Using our cell surgical device and extensive experience since 1998, we continually strive to enhance our offerings and improve patient outcomes. We offer a ...
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    16 m
  • Episode 69: What is Breast Explant Surgery?

    Episode 69: What is Breast Explant Surgery?
    Jun 6 2024
    Breast explant surgery or breast implant removal is a surgical procedure commonly done for various reasons such as implant issues, breast reconstruction, implant rupture, dissatisfaction with the appearance of the implants, or other cosmetic purposes. In breast explant surgery, the implants alone may be removed or the surrounding scar tissue may also be included. In some circumstances, a breast lift may be done with the explant procedure to enhance the look of the breasts. In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss what breast explant surgery is and why people want to undergo such surgery. What is breast explant surgery? When we’re talking about breast explant surgery, we’re referring to the removal of breast implants and any scar tissue formed around the implants. Nowadays, many plastic surgeons do explants for various reasons. My approach to explant surgery is to everything out in its entirety, which is why many people seek me out for that very reason. Typically, my clients are those who had a placement of a device either for cancer reconstruction or other cosmetic purposes and are experiencing symptoms associated with breast implant illness. The most common symptoms experienced by my patients are anxiety, depression, brain fog, dry eyes, headache, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nerve pain down their arms or legs, joint pain, and other gastrointestinal issues. Oftentimes, patients find me through what I offer in terms of holistic rejuvenation with fat transfer. In fact, I’ve been doing fat transfer since the 2000s for cancer reconstruction and other cosmetic purposes. I'm very comfortable with doing these operations and I have already refined my process, having done over 1,500 fat transfers. Why do I prefer fat transfer? When it comes to breast lifts, we have different kinds of techniques such as vertical, crescent, peri-areolar, and anchor breast lifts. The patients may have a preferred kind but it actually depends on the necessity. If the patient had a peri-areolar placement, then we try to use that scar and remove the implant intact through it. The average length of a surgery is about two and a half hours. If we add a lifting procedure, it's a little over three hours. If I'm doing a combination procedure of fat removal to be used for fat transfer, it usually takes between four to five hours. The main reason as to why I like to use fat is because it's your own tissue. It has actually been used as a filler for over 100 years. Besides providing or enhancing the breast volume, it also helps offset some visual changes that the patient's not happy with. This is why as much as I can, I try to help patients learn about fat transfers and make them understand from my perspective. Doing these operations can be draining, especially mentally, so it’s best for patients to have a great support system that shows up to help them and provide much-needed support. What I always emphasize is if you’re considering explants or doing other procedures, it’s important to find a reliable professional with whom you can communicate your concerns.You can check my website to help you along the way. Links and Resurces Dr. Robert Whitfield’s Website (https://drrobssolutions.com/) Follow Dr. Rob on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drrobertwhitfield/ For more information on Virtual and In Person Consultations, we always answer our messenger personally: https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/contact/ Try the Echo Hydrogen Water Bottle (https://echowater.com/?oid=21&affid=720) Code is DRROB10. About Dr. Rob Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/) In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face. Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years. Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning...
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    9 m
  • Episode 68: Navigating Breast Implant Surgery Risks with Dr. Thomas Chung

    Episode 68: Navigating Breast Implant Surgery Risks with Dr. Thomas Chung
    May 30 2024
    Breast implants are said to be a transformative solution for individuals seeking aesthetic enhancement or breast reconstruction. However, beneath their promise of confidence and beauty lie potential risks that are often overlooked. Breast Implant Illness (BII) underscores the importance of thorough patient education and informed consent, highlighting the complexities and implications associated with implants. That is why there is a need for us to raise more awareness about the realities of breast implant surgery, ensuring that patients are fully informed about the risks and potential consequences. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest for today's episode – Dr. Thomas Chung. We share a similar background in terms of experience and training, which initially intrigued me since he has a clear and insightful understanding of breast implant illness, and we'll delve into that throughout this episode. Plastic surgery career, including microsurgery and breast reconstruction What struck me about Dr. Chung is his extensive experience in microsurgery, a field in which we've both worked. Dr. Chung's journey began with his training in the Navy, where he completed his internship and general surgery residency at Walter Reed, then part of the National Naval Medical Center consortium in DC. During his residency, he managed numerous casualties from conflicts like Fallujah, serving as chief of the trauma service with a daily census of 30 to 40 injured veterans. After finishing his general surgery training, he pursued a fellowship at Johns Hopkins, launching his plastic surgery career before returning to Walter Reed to handle more trauma cases. His work involved extensive microsurgery, such as reconstructing an entire abdominal wall for a survivor of a suicide bombing and performing numerous extremity-free flaps and breast reconstructions using deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Over the first seven to eight years, Dr. Chung climbed the Navy's ranks, taking on leadership roles like Chief of Surgery, Chair of the Medical Executive Committee, and ultimately Chief Medical Officer for the San Diego region. Dr. Chung remains passionate about plastic and aesthetic surgery despite his executive responsibilities. Notably, he performs many explant surgeries for patients experiencing issues after long-term breast implant use. Immunosuppression in organ transplants and chronic inflammation In my previous episodes, I've extensively discussed breast implant illness and Dr. Chung agrees that implants may cause more than just localized pain or discomfort. He believes there's something inherently toxic about implants that science can explain and this understanding aligns with groundbreaking surgical advancements by the Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Joseph Murray. Dr. Murray's work on organ transplants demonstrates the need for immunosuppression to prevent rejection. In transplants, immunosuppression is crucial to avoid rejection, but this concept can also apply to implants. Patients often react negatively to treatments like steroids or methotrexate, fearing the medications rather than understanding their role in managing symptoms. We see chronic inflammation in patients with implants, similar to organ rejection. In both scenarios, if the initial post-surgery period goes well, complications are less likely. However, issues during this time can lead to significant problems. For cancer patients undergoing reconstruction, immunosuppression can exacerbate complications, demonstrating the delicate balance required to manage immune responses. Transplant rejection and the use of splint analogy to explain the concept Using analogies from organ transplants helps patients understand that their bodies might be "rejecting" implants, causing chronic inflammation. This perspective can help them grasp the need for proper management and treatment strategies, even if those include higher doses of immunosuppressants like prednisone to manage their symptoms effectively. When it comes to resolving issues with breast implants, focusing on the concept of explants and the importance of addressing capsules surrounding the implants is vital. We use the splinter analogy to explain the body's reaction to foreign objects. Just as a splinter in your finger causes pain and inflammation until it's removed, so does the body react to implants, leading to discomfort and potential toxicity. Removing the splinter provides immediate relief, compared to the relief patients might experience after explant surgery. Dr. Chung appreciates the simplicity of this analogy, which helps patients understand the body's rejection response. He relates it to his experience on transplant rotations, where managing immune responses to transplanted organs was crucial. He emphasizes the importance of detailed procedures in removing implants, akin to meticulous methods used in cancer surgeries to reduce recurrence risks. Breast implant illness, implant removal, and fat transfers as an ...
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    33 m