Just to clarify, it was my plastic surgeon (whom I'd known for several years) who performed the MixTo lasering - not a derm doc.
I was never told to follow up with my GP after I got the staph infection, but I took the initiative to see him plus a dermatologist. Both of them agreed on the diagnosis: toxic shock staph infection, for which I should have been hospitalized.
In my post-procedure list of things, I was never told to watch for any sign of fever. So I languished in my hotel room as it climbed from 101 to 103.6 before going back to the surgeon (DUMB! I should've gone to a hospital) for treatment.
His nurse got me started on an antibiotic IV that likely saved my life. No kidding.
Good luck on your procedure. It sounds like both you and your doctor are on the same page regarding results and outcome.
smartgirl06 - lotta questions y'got! I'll do my best to answer them all, cuz there are some facts I want to be clear about.
My MixTo treatment was performed by a reconstructive plastic surgeon - a doctor who had done my facial surgery, and to whom I'd gone to for several years for Botox & juvey injections. So I was very familiar with him and confident in his skills.
That said, I think there were a few variables tossed into the mix that resulted in my own horrific outcome: the staph infection. I was not prescribed any antibiotic to take proactively before the procedure was performed. Since I basically got a 2nd degree burn with the MixTo, that seems remiss. In addition, my face was never swabbed down with a sterile solution - I only recall washing it myself in the pre-op room. Strange?
I had to travel to get the procedure done, so I recovered in a hotel room. Is that where I picked up the staph? Or did I get it right at the surgeon's office? Immediately after my procedure, an assistant put cool compresses on my face, Within 24 hours, I had the infection, which began in my left eye. Also, I smelled putrifying skin, but was clueless as to what that was all about. Turns out, it was the staph infection and my infected skin. But staph is a FULL-BODY infection, and it can kill you if not treated pretty quick with antibiotic.
My surgeon continued to treat me during my 10 days of recovery away from home. He never came right out and said, "YOU NEED TO SEE A DOC!" Or, "I suggest you follow up with your GP when you get home." So I felt he didn't know when to hand me off to someone with more expertise in my infection.
When I got home, I took the initiative of seeing both my GP and a dermatologist. Both of them AGREED that I appeared to have had staph infection, should have been hospitalized, but that their diagnosis was made in hindsight after seeing my post-procedure photos and hearing what I went through.
In my post-procedure list of things, I was never told to watch for any sign of fever. So I languished in my hotel room as it climbed from 101 to 103.6 before going back to the surgeon (DUMB! I should've gone to a hospital) for treatment.
His nurse got me started on an antibiotic IV that likely saved my life. No kidding.
Yes, I can now see clearly that my undereye skin is way more tender and delicate than other parts of my face (or neck & chest, which also had the MixTo lasering). I was incredibly lucky to not be left with any disfiguring scars. Now, almost two years post, my skin looks GREAT! Is that because of the MixTo? I simply don't know. I use some excellent skincare products plus strong sunblock daily.
If my current skin is due to MixTo, then it took a good 1.5 years to shine through! That seems too long. I think it's due to healthy diet and good skin care regimen.
Good luck with your procedure! It sounds like both you and your doctor are not only knowledgeable, but also on the same page about results and outcome.
My only advice is: get the Rx for an antibiotic and take it! You may also get an anti-herpes virus med. So be it. But be scrupulous about your sanitation after the burn and MOST important, if you develop a fever in the hours post-procedure, do not walk, RUN to the doctor for a full follow-up.
Hi Jack. Sorry for the delay in posting a reply. I was out of town ... and had long since forgotten my log-in password for RealSelf. It's probably been a year or more since my last post?
My surgeon for Vaser High Def Lipo was Dr. Andrew Kaczynski in Sac'to, CA. You can google him to get the website. Also, he offers even more state-of-the-art technology in the 3 years since I got my Vaser ultrasound lipo. Check it out! A consult with him would put you on the right track for the results you want.
He may not be the least expensive surgeon out there, but I am still amazed with my results!
Thanks for the positive feedback, Great! I can't believe it's been 1.5 years since my MixTo lasering and staph infection. To my relief and amazement, I can actually go out with no camouflage makeup now. Yes, there is still a permanent, darkened skin color under my right eye, but no one has ever stared at that eye when I'm out with no makeup on.
Whether related to the MixTo or not, I have not needed to get any Botox or Juvey injections since April 2009 either. Botox did not agree with me: it left large, banana-shaped bags under each eye.
I used to have my tear-trough area filled with Juvey - and that is no longer necessary!
But my "marionette" lines on the sides of my mouth are becoming more prominent now, so I am debating finding a doctor to inject Juvey there.
All in all, I am happy, at peace, and MOST of all: back in good health for over a year now.
Dotcom, despite all I've been through with my MixTo experience, I want to emphasize that this could be unique to ME. I've read about others who've had the procedure done with results they were pleased with.
Your best bet is to check around, but keep the caveat in mind: this is MAJOR, skin-burning treatment! It's essential to eliminate ANY chance of getting an infection such as I had.
I consider myself beyond lucky to have survived the staph infection and be left with a couple stubborn patches of burned skin - where the texture of it is actually bumpy and red. I continue to use camouflage makeup on these areas, and find myself wishing I'd never had my skin burned so bad. Good luck to you in any future treatment.
Recent comments
Posted to MixTo Treatment Great, but Unplanned Disaster Happened on 8 Mar 2012
Just to clarify, it was my plastic surgeon (whom I'd known for several years) who performed the MixTo lasering - not a derm doc.
I was never told to follow up with my GP after I got the staph infection, but I took the initiative to see him plus a dermatologist. Both of them agreed on the diagnosis: toxic shock staph infection, for which I should have been hospitalized.
In my post-procedure list of things, I was never told to watch for any sign of fever. So I languished in my hotel room as it climbed from 101 to 103.6 before going back to the surgeon (DUMB! I should've gone to a hospital) for treatment.
His nurse got me started on an antibiotic IV that likely saved my life. No kidding.
Good luck on your procedure. It sounds like both you and your doctor are on the same page regarding results and outcome.
Posted to MixTo Treatment Great, but Unplanned Disaster Happened on 8 Mar 2012
My MixTo treatment was performed by a reconstructive plastic surgeon - a doctor who had done my facial surgery, and to whom I'd gone to for several years for Botox & juvey injections. So I was very familiar with him and confident in his skills.
That said, I think there were a few variables tossed into the mix that resulted in my own horrific outcome: the staph infection. I was not prescribed any antibiotic to take proactively before the procedure was performed. Since I basically got a 2nd degree burn with the MixTo, that seems remiss. In addition, my face was never swabbed down with a sterile solution - I only recall washing it myself in the pre-op room. Strange?
I had to travel to get the procedure done, so I recovered in a hotel room. Is that where I picked up the staph? Or did I get it right at the surgeon's office? Immediately after my procedure, an assistant put cool compresses on my face, Within 24 hours, I had the infection, which began in my left eye. Also, I smelled putrifying skin, but was clueless as to what that was all about. Turns out, it was the staph infection and my infected skin. But staph is a FULL-BODY infection, and it can kill you if not treated pretty quick with antibiotic.
My surgeon continued to treat me during my 10 days of recovery away from home. He never came right out and said, "YOU NEED TO SEE A DOC!" Or, "I suggest you follow up with your GP when you get home." So I felt he didn't know when to hand me off to someone with more expertise in my infection.
When I got home, I took the initiative of seeing both my GP and a dermatologist. Both of them AGREED that I appeared to have had staph infection, should have been hospitalized, but that their diagnosis was made in hindsight after seeing my post-procedure photos and hearing what I went through.
In my post-procedure list of things, I was never told to watch for any sign of fever. So I languished in my hotel room as it climbed from 101 to 103.6 before going back to the surgeon (DUMB! I should've gone to a hospital) for treatment.
His nurse got me started on an antibiotic IV that likely saved my life. No kidding.
Yes, I can now see clearly that my undereye skin is way more tender and delicate than other parts of my face (or neck & chest, which also had the MixTo lasering). I was incredibly lucky to not be left with any disfiguring scars. Now, almost two years post, my skin looks GREAT! Is that because of the MixTo? I simply don't know. I use some excellent skincare products plus strong sunblock daily.
If my current skin is due to MixTo, then it took a good 1.5 years to shine through! That seems too long. I think it's due to healthy diet and good skin care regimen.
Good luck with your procedure! It sounds like both you and your doctor are not only knowledgeable, but also on the same page about results and outcome.
My only advice is: get the Rx for an antibiotic and take it! You may also get an anti-herpes virus med. So be it. But be scrupulous about your sanitation after the burn and MOST important, if you develop a fever in the hours post-procedure, do not walk, RUN to the doctor for a full follow-up.
Posted to Vaser for Unwanted Fat Deposits on Upper/lower Abs on 17 Feb 2012
My surgeon for Vaser High Def Lipo was Dr. Andrew Kaczynski in Sac'to, CA. You can google him to get the website. Also, he offers even more state-of-the-art technology in the 3 years since I got my Vaser ultrasound lipo. Check it out! A consult with him would put you on the right track for the results you want.
He may not be the least expensive surgeon out there, but I am still amazed with my results!
Posted to MixTo Treatment Great, but Unplanned Disaster Happened on 27 Oct 2011
Whether related to the MixTo or not, I have not needed to get any Botox or Juvey injections since April 2009 either. Botox did not agree with me: it left large, banana-shaped bags under each eye.
I used to have my tear-trough area filled with Juvey - and that is no longer necessary!
But my "marionette" lines on the sides of my mouth are becoming more prominent now, so I am debating finding a doctor to inject Juvey there.
All in all, I am happy, at peace, and MOST of all: back in good health for over a year now.
Posted to MixTo Treatment Great, but Unplanned Disaster Happened on 29 Jan 2011
Your best bet is to check around, but keep the caveat in mind: this is MAJOR, skin-burning treatment! It's essential to eliminate ANY chance of getting an infection such as I had.
I consider myself beyond lucky to have survived the staph infection and be left with a couple stubborn patches of burned skin - where the texture of it is actually bumpy and red. I continue to use camouflage makeup on these areas, and find myself wishing I'd never had my skin burned so bad. Good luck to you in any future treatment.