Is surgery with an infection safe?
I am 5 weeks post op tummy tuck I have sarcoma and scar tissue. My plastic surgeon advised me to schedule surgery to remove the scar tissue: I am scheduled to have the operation June 5th. A few days ago I developed fluid leakage (common) but now I have developed a redness on my tummy, pain, and flu like symptoms. I went to see my plastic surgeon today: he prescribed me sulfamethoxazole and cephalexin 500 mg and scheduled me to come in on Monday morning at 6am for surgery! My question is.. Is it safe to have surgery after being on antibiotics for 2 days? My plastic surgeon said I developed a skin infection and I'm worried I have staph or mersa and is it safe to have surgery if I do? I need a second opinion. Thank you!
It is always best to treat an infection fully prior to proceeding with elective surgery, unless the surgery is specifically for curing the infection.
The answer depends on the situation. Sometimes, it's not a good idea to operate on tissues when they are infected. Other times, tissues require surgery precisely because there's an infection. Depending on what the surgery that you are having entails, the answer to your questions may be a yes or a no. It would be best that you review your concern with your surgeon again prior to surgery.