On this week’s episode of the Girlfriend Doctor Show, I had a conversation with Dr. Robert Whitfield, a world-renowned cosmetic surgeon and breast implant illness expert. Dr. Whitfield takes a holistic approach to breast implant illness that includes genetic testing, mold toxicity, and hormone balancing to help patients heal from the inside out.  In this episode, Dr. Whitfield talks about how many women with breast implants come to him with common symptoms including brain fog, mold exposure, and memory loss. Additionally, they can suffer from increased anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, respiratory issues, dry eyes, sinusitis, gut dysfunction, swelling, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, recurring UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, and muscle and joint pain. These symptoms can also align with mold toxicity or Lyme disease Breast implant illness may also be connected to genetic pathway problems, dietary issues, hormonal imbalance and endocrine dysfunction, so it’s important to get comprehensive testing done. Dr. Whitfield recommends DNA testing to detect different types of bacteria and fungus that might be causing a breast implant infection. And he says that anyone who has implants from 1996 or older should definitely get tested because there is probably some form of rupture that has occurred.  After having breast implants removed, it’s also critical to balance your hormones and maintain a good diet and a positive attitude. Remember -- no one is a greater advocate for your health than you are.    KEY TAKEAWAYS [5:57] Dr. Whitfield’s first explant patient with cancer and her diagnosis [10:08] A cosmetic patient with implant infection [16:56] Why Dr. Whitfield considers any implant from 1996 or older to be ruptured [19:27] The four pathways of immunity that are examined carefully in breast implant illness [21:30] Triggers to breast implant illness and accompanying symptoms [26:44] Holistic testing done to optimize breast health and overall health [27:25] Quickest and fastest way to get rid of mold toxins [33:05] How often to get breast implants checked [36:00] Need to balance out hormones when having a breast explant   HOW TO CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST https://drrobertwhitfield.com/ Youtube channel: Dr. Rob’s Solutions https://breastimplantillnessexpert.com/ https://drrobssolutions.myshopify.com/   MEMORABLE QUOTES “What breast implant illness really is to me is out-of-control inflammation. The inflammation that drives breast implant illness drives a lot of the symptomology. Now I have genetic testing that reveals defects in their immune pathways.”  “I encourage clients, if you’re super sick, if you’re super symptomatic, an explant will be a step to help you, but it will not be the only step that solves the problem because it’s usually a multi-factorial problem.”   To learn more about me and to stay connected, visit the links below: Website: The Girlfriend Doctor Instagram: The Girlfriend Doctor