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MRSA Prior to Plastic Surgery and Antibiotic Allergies, What Antibiotic Options Are there if I Have a TT?

asked 6 months ago by Erin Woodridge in Woodridge, Illinois
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 289 times
Tags: antibiotic, MRSA

I was told last summer that I may have had a MRSA infection. It was never cultured or tested, but I was given medications to treat it as if it was one. My question is two parts: Am I still a candidate for a tummy tuck if I have had a MRSA infection in the past? I am allergic to Pennicillian, Zythromax (Z-Pack), Clindamycin and Sulfa Drugs. Are there still antibiotic options for me if I have a tummy tuck?

16 answers to MRSA Prior to Plastic Surgery and Antibiotic Allergies, What Antibiotic Options Are there if I Have a TT?

Prior MRSA and future surgery.

Thank you for your question. I would think the first question that I would ask is how do you know that you had a Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus infection? In answer to your questions-yes, you would be a candidate for a tummy tuck and yes, there are other antibiotic options. I would ,however, suggest that you obtain an infectious disease consultation to sort this question out before undergoing any surgery.

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

MRSA and tummy tuck

Yes, you can still have a tummy tuck if you have had MRSA in the past. Yes, there are antibiotic options for you if you have a tummy tuck. Make certain all your doctors know your past history and follow their recommendations for precautions. A consultation with an infectious disease doctor can provide valuable information on anything you may need to do before, during, and after any future surgery. I wish you well.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

History of MRSA and its affect on future surgery

If patients have a specific history of an MRSA infection (Methicillin resistant staph infection), a nasal swab test / culture can identify if they are a carrier of this bacteria and appropriate prophylactic therapy can be instituted to reduce future risk. With appropriate treatment, a patient in this category should still maintain a low risk of infection and would still be considered a candidate for abdominoplasty if otherwise appropriate. There are many different types /... more

Sean A. Simon, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Prior MRSA infection

I would recommend an infectious disease consult prior to your surgery. They could recommend the appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

History of Prior MRSA Infection Not a Contraindication to TummyTuck

Hi there- There is no reason (barring ongoing, active infection) that your prior infection should keep you from having an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), but be sure your family doctor and infectious disease doctor are kept in the loop.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

MRSA Prior to Plastic Surgery and Antibiotic Allergies, What Antibiotic Options Are there if I Have a TT?

You are still a candidate for TT but a full written infectious disease clearance is needed before the operation. Also I would require the ID doc to be available for your postop care.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

MRSA infection in the past.

A previous MRSA infection does not mean you can never have surgery in the future . An Infectious Disease Doctor can screen you for this problem and make antibiotic recommendations

Walter D. Gracia, MD
Arlington Plastic Surgeon

What is MRSA and does it affect getting a tummy tuck

Hello, MRSA is actually a very common bacteria (at least it is common now). It is actually not a very aggressive bacteria, its notoriety is more related to its resistance to certain antibiotics. It sounds like you may or may not have had a MRSA infection. As such, you would be placed on basic antibiotic prevention. You really have the same type of risk of infection from surgery as any other patient which is pretty low. All the best, Dr Repta more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Questionable Past MRSA infection and Tummy Tuck

It is not clinically documented (by bacterial culture) that you had an MRSA infection, but you still may take precautions. Schedule a consultation with you internal medicine doctor and ask for recomendations for testing family members, as well as your environment. If any of these persons test positive they may be treated with anti-staph (MRSA) oinment and referred to an infectious disease specialist. Prior to surgery you should be given pre-operative antibiotics that the MRSA... more

Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

www.walkerplasticsurgery.com

MRSA and Antibiotics Prior To Tummy Tuck Surgery

Your prior history of alleged MRSA does not preclude you from having a tummy tuck or any other surgery. With this history, however, it would be important to know that you are not an active carrier which could pose a problem for you after surgery or for other patients in the surgical facility. A nasal swab test is all that you need. There are numerous other antibiotics that could be used for tummy tuck surgery including a very common one that you did not list as an allergy,... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Past MRSA Infection and Risks with Tummy Tuck

There are a few things one can do to minimize the risk of infection after a tummy tuck. If others in your home had MRSA infections, then you need to be sure it is cleared from your surroundings before considering surgery. You may want to discuss this with your primary care doctor. A nasal swab for MRSA may determine if you carry MRSA (many people in the Chicago area do carry it without having any problems) and if so, an antibiotic ointment can be given to clear it from your... more

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck With Past MRSA Infection

It is a bit unusual for one to be treated for MRSA without a positive culture. I agree with Dr. Abramson that you should have a nasal swab culture done. This does not preclude your undergoing a tummy tuck. I always give a single injection of antibiotic (typically a Cephalosporin) one hour prior to surgery. In your case, I would probably use Vancomycin for the antibiotic.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

History of possible MRSA

You can get screened for MRSA (via a nasal swab or a "MRSA probe"). Regardless, unless you have an active infection, you are not contraindicated to undergo the surgery. Furthermore, I am not convinced you had MRSA in the 1st place without a culture to prove that.

Tito Vasquez, MD
Southport Plastic Surgeon

www.ctpsg.com

MRSA infection and Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. Nothing that you have described should preclude you from having a safe tummy tuck operation. If you are concerned you could see a infectious disease specialists who will do the appropriate cultures/ swabs to test for MR SA colonization. At some point, you should probably also see an allergist to see what antibiotics you are truly allergic to. You may find that you are not truly allergic to many of these antibiotics ( but have had side effects instead).... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

MRSA and tummy tuck

Excellent question. I would certainly want to know if the MRSA had colonized and would require medical clearance from your internist. Antibiotic coverage would be important with preop prophylaxis.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

The past history should not preclude you from having a tummy tuck. However, yourmplasticmsurgeon may want to perform a nasal swap to see if you are colonized. If the answer is yes some preoperative treatment might be suggested. There are other antibiotics that can be used at the time of surgery.