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Ear Fluid and Seasonal Allergies with Tummy Tuck, Breast Implants and Lift.

I'm having a tummy tuck, breast lift and implants in 6 days. I went to the doctor today and she said my allergies are acting up (all nasal symptoms, no fever, or cough) and that my ears have fluid on them but are not red or infected. Can I still have surgery and would it be smart to take amoxil to prevent ear infection? Is that safe to take before surgery?

Doctor Answers 6

Mommy Makeover

January 4th, 2012
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Your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can direct you to an antibiotic if needed prior to surgery.  Usually you will receive antibiotics during or before surgery.

Web reference: http://www.elitemdspa.info/

Vivek Bansal, MD


Danville Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 22 reviews

Mommy Makeover surgery

December 17th, 2011
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Thank you for the question.

You have probably already had your surgery - hopefully with no problems due to the allergies you were discussing.

In my practice, I discuss things with the patient's PCP if he/she has concerns about proceeding with surgery but generally, unless there are issues with infection and / or airway issues, it's fine to proceed with surgery.

Best Wishes!

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Procedure_mommyMakeover.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

Seasonal allergies before surgery

July 5th, 2011
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Typically, unless you have an infection or are coming down with a cold, you can still have surgery.  Check with your family doctor to see if there is anything you can do to reduce the fluid in your ears.  

Use of antibiotics in the absence of infection is not generally advised, and brings its own set of problems, but again that is something you could discuss with your family doctor and your plastic surgeon.

James Nachbar, MD

James Nachbar, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 19 reviews

Breast surgery

July 1st, 2011
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Talk to your plastic surgeon, who should discuss the finding of your doctor and decide whether to put you on antibiotics prior to surgery, sice an implant is to be used. If there is a possibility of sinus or ear infection then the surgery should be postponed till your infection is completely treated.

Samir Shureih, MD

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Tummy tuck and breast implants at the same time with congestion

July 1st, 2011
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Hi,

If there is any chance that you have a real infection elsewhere, I would not advise surgery, especially breast implants.  But as you imply, this might not be the case.  In this type of situation, your plastic surgeon may speak to your family doctor and together they can decide what is the wisest course.

Joseph Rabson, MD (retired)

Joseph Rabson, MD (retired)
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 1 review

Allergy issues before surgery

July 7th, 2011
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As long as there are no signs of infection (fever, chills, high temperature, purulent nasal or ear drainage, sinusitis, etc.) - it would be OK to have surgery.  Non-infected fluid behind the ear drum is probably best treated with decongestants.

Have your plastic surgeon and your family doctor (or whoever examined your ears) speak to each other, so they can come up with a sensible strategy for you.  It's best if everyone is "in the loop".

Good luck with your surgery!

Thomas Fiala, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.