Dr. Rob's Training Programs
Advancing the Standard of Surgical Preparation and Recovery. Evidence-based training for healthcare practitioners by Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD.
Capsule microbial contamination rate (PCR-tested)
Training pathways from education to advanced surgery
SHARP Surgery Center launching in Austin, TX
The Gap Between Standard Care and Optimal Outcomes
Most healthcare providers have limited exposure to Breast Implant Illness research and the emerging science of surgical preparation optimization. These training programs bridge that gap with peer-reviewed data and clinical methodology.
Contamination Goes Undetected
Standard culture methods miss bacterial contamination in implant capsule tissue. Dr. Whitfield's published research demonstrated a 29% microbial contamination rate using PCR testing — the largest such series in the world. Providers who understand this data can better counsel and refer patients.
BII Symptoms Are Systemic
Breast Implant Illness presents with chronic fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, joint pain, and autoimmune-like responses. These symptoms are frequently misattributed or dismissed. Trained providers recognize the patterns and understand when to refer for evaluation.
Surgery Alone Is Incomplete
The SHARP Method (Strategic Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program) addresses what traditional surgical preparation does not: biological optimization before surgery and engineered recovery after. Providers trained in SHARP can integrate these principles into their own practice.
Three Pathways to Advancing Your Practice
Whether you are an allied health provider seeking to better serve patients with implant-related concerns, or a surgeon looking to implement evidence-based preparation protocols, there is a training pathway designed for your practice.
Allied Health Provider Training
BII & SHARP Education
Who It's For
Acupuncturists, nutritionists, holistic healthcare providers, nurses, PAs, osteopathic providers, chiropractors
An educational program designed for allied health providers who interact with patients experiencing implant-related symptoms. Learn to recognize BII presentations, understand the SHARP protocol, and know when and how to refer patients for surgical evaluation.
What You'll Learn
- Understanding Breast Implant Illness (BII) and its clinical presentation
- The science behind implant capsule contamination and PCR testing
- Overview of the SHARP Method and its three-phase approach
- Patient assessment and referral criteria
- Co-management strategies for pre- and post-surgical patients
Surgeon SHARP Method Training
Surgical Methodology
Who It's For
Surgeons across all specialties — orthopedic, cardiac, plastic, general, and others
Methodology training for surgeons who want to implement the SHARP Method as a surgical preparation and recovery framework in their own practice. This is not limited to explant — SHARP applies to any surgical discipline where patient optimization improves outcomes.
What You'll Learn
- The SHARP Method framework: preparation, surgery, and recovery phases
- Biological optimization protocols for surgical patients
- Advanced lab testing and personalized supplementation strategies
- Integrating SHARP into existing surgical workflows
- Outcome measurement and protocol documentation
Explant Surgery Training
Advanced Surgical Technique
Who It's For
Surgeons specifically interested in learning explant techniques, including en bloc capsulectomy and total capsulectomy
The most advanced training tier, focused on specialized explant surgical techniques. This program requires credentialing and vetting, and is designed for surgeons committed to the highest standard of care in breast implant removal.
What You'll Learn
- En bloc capsulectomy technique and indications
- Total capsulectomy approaches and decision-making
- PCR testing protocols for explanted capsule tissue
- Complication management and revision strategies
- Credentialing requirements and ongoing quality standards
Key Publication
"Clinical Evaluation of Microbial Communities and Associated Biofilms with Breast Augmentation Failure"
Whitfield R, Tipton CD, Diaz N, Ancira J, Landry KS
Microorganisms (2024) · PMID: 39338504
Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD
Dr. Robert Whitfield is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Austin, Texas, and the creator of the SHARP Method. His work sits at the intersection of surgical excellence and functional medicine, driven by the conviction that how a patient is prepared for surgery is as important as the procedure itself.
As Past President of the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) from 2019 to 2020, Dr. Whitfield committed the organization's resources to funding breast implant illness research. His published work includes the largest PCR-tested explant capsule series, demonstrating a 29% microbial contamination rate in findings published in Microorganisms (2024). He has testified at FDA hearings on breast implant safety, advocating for greater transparency and more rigorous safety standards.
These training programs represent the next step in Dr. Whitfield's mission: equipping healthcare practitioners across disciplines with the knowledge and methodology to improve surgical outcomes for their patients.
Credentials
Begin Your Training Application
Complete the form to express interest in any of our training pathways. Our team will review your application and follow up with next steps, including program details, scheduling, and any credentialing requirements.
Allied Health Providers
BII & SHARP education is currently enrolling. No surgical credentials required.
Surgeons
SHARP Method and explant training require verification of surgical credentials and practice information.
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]