What is a micro bacterial infection? Where does it come from and how I can avoid it after Tummy Tuck or BBL?

Question

Wanted to know what is a micro bacterial infection and where do it come and how I can avoid it after Tummy Tuck or BBL?

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Did you mean “mycobacterial” infection? This is a very rare, but devastating infection which is hard to treat. If you are thinking about major surgery such as a tummy tuck and fat transfer, you must make sure that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon who operates in an accredited operating room or accredited ambulatory surgery center or hospital. There were more than 2 dozen mycobacterial infections documented in patients who had their surgery in the Dominican Republic and brought their complications back to the US. The authorities closed down some clinics due to poor unsanitary clinics and no sterile instruments. They have a hard time keeping up with the complaints. A lot of Americans go there for their surgery and a significant percentage come back with serious infections or occasionally in a box. If you are determined to go there in face of this, please do your research well. There are excellent surgeons and clinics there as well, and make sure you sign up with those clinics. Visit the place and make several appointments with surgeons, do not commit to a clinic and pay your non refundable fee from the US. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear NewBodi16,infection is a possible complication of every surgery but surgeons do their best in order to prevent it. Every plastic surgeon has his own intraoperative and postoperative protocol and guidelines which he follows in order to avoid complications. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. The answer to that is you can get any kind of infection after surgery.Ask your surgeon to recommend a preoperative cleansing process for the skin. A common infection is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) it is caused by a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

I'm pretty sure you are referring to Mycobacteria, a species of bacteria, as all bacteria are micro (microscopic). It is a bad infection that can take months to clear up. It's extremely rare in this country but there are reports in the news of a high incidence in areas where ORs are less well regulated and procedures less sanitary, the most commonly mentioned I have see is in the DR.

John E. Nees, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Bacteria are microscopic single cell organisms, some of which can cause disease. If bacteria seed and proliferate during / after tummy tuck or BBL, one will develop a bacterial infection, which may result in scarring, tissue loss, disfigurement, or even death.  These bacteria can be airborne or can come into direct contact with an open wound from a contaminated source.Protocols have developed over the years to minimize the risks of infection to include aseptic technique, clean enclosed environment, instrument sterilization, sterile draping, sterile gowning / gloving / head covering, air conditioning with laminar flow, etc.  Wound cleansing with saline or antibiotic solution may be employed during the procedure.The use of prophylactic antibiotics immediately before and for 24 hours after surgery appears to reduce the incidence of infection. That being said, a serious infection is a rare event...Best wishes...

What is a micro bacterial infection? Where does it come from and how I can avoid it after Tummy Tuck or BBL?

Answers (5)

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