How likely is the possibility of infection after neck lift/bleph procedure combined? Is there alternative to antibiotics?

Question

My postop care includes taking antibiotic Keflex 4x daily starting a day after surgery. I suffer chronic bladder inflammation. Certain antibiotics cause extreme pain, damage to the point I may be unable to eat for months. I don't know how I'll react to Keflex, but if pain occurs I will need to stop immediately, perhaps after only 1 day. Will discuss with dr. but what is the real risk of infection? are there alternatives to antibiotics as a preventative measure for patients w/ sensitivities?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you move forward and consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. It is important that you feel safe and secure with your surgeon.
Best wishes,

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello agingmess While complications from this safe procedure are rare, the risk is still extant and will be discussed with you thoroughly by the PS. #risk #pain

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS · Answer

The infection risk is quite low and taking the antibiotics for fewer days should be sufficient. Discuss your concerns and options with your doctor, the infection risk is quite low and I am sure a shorter course will be fine.

David Tauber, MD · Answer

Infection after facial surgery is rare. Antibiotics are often given to decrease this risk even further. It is not unusual, however, to give a reduced course of antibiotics for patients with severe allergies or sensitivities. There is some flexibility.
See the link below for more information on face/neck lift surgery.

A detailed discussion with your Board Certified plastic surgeon would be the next best step.

Summit Kundaria, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   I think you should discuss the antibiotic plan with your surgeon, as if you have an antibiotic that you have taken in the past that did not give you extreme pain but also covers common bacteria that are found on your skin, you may have a better option available without having the uncertainty of extreme pain.  Either way, infections are rather rare, and not always "required".  Discuss this with your surgeon (this is not an "inconvenience", as nobody benefits from having you in pain), and get it cleared up before surgery so that you are not putting yourself at a risk for complications at a time when you are sensitive.  Good luck!

Craig R. Dufresne, MD · Answer

The risk of infection with a combined neck lift and blepharoplasty is low, about 1%. With the risk being so low and you having a chronic bladder inflammation it is possible to fore go antibiotics. Using antiseptic soaps prior surgery will reduce the bacteria in the area and therefore reduce the risk of infection. You should discuss these options with your surgeon.

Elliot W. Jacobs, MD · Answer

An infection after a facelift or eyelid surgery is very rare.  Most surgeons will use just one dose of "peri-operative" antibiotics.  There are no alternatives to antibiotics, unfortunately, unless you choose to go without them.Elliot W. Jacobs, MD, FACSNew York City

Deborah Ekstrom, MD · Answer

Infection after facelift or blepharoplasty is quite uncommon. Most surgeons use antibiotics just at the time of surgery, unless there as some extenuating circumstances that require antibiotic coverage.  It sounds like antibiotic administration has some significant downsides for you, so have a discussion with your surgeon to see if you can skip the antibiotic regimen.

David Hartman, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Antibiotics after cosmetic surgery is recommended on a case by case basis.  About 75% of the time, I will start a 3-4 day course during/after a facelift. This is a topic you should discuss with your surgeon.  In general, any time antibiotics are used, it is universally recommended to consume probiotics (yogurt, kefir, kombucha) during the antibiotic course and for several weeks after.  Probiotics re-populate our bodies with healthy bacteria. This is especially important because antibiotics have the unfortunate side-effect of killing off our good bacteria which guard our mucous membrane surfaces - leaving us vulnerable to getting overrun with harmful bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa. Perhaps as a compromise, in your particular case, you could discuss the option of taking a short course of an antibiotic with which you have historically had no problems.

How likely is the possibility of infection after neck lift/bleph procedure combined? Is there alternative to antibiotics?

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