Is There Harm with Taking an Antibiotic Before Surgery?

I am a Plastic surgeon in London. The antibiotics themselves are not a problem but the infection is. I would not recommend having an implant with an ongoing infection as the bugs can seed onto the implant and cause an infection. I would recommend that the infection is fully settled prior to having surgery.

Patients often receive peri-operative antibiotics. The issue is not the antibiotics, but your sinus infection. You risk of complications and post-operative infection increases dramatically if you have an infection. I recommend you delay surgery for 2-4 weeks after the infection clears.

Antibiotics are not harmful before surgery. However, the reason you're taking them (a sinus infection) can put you at an increased risk. I wouldn't advise someone with an active infection to undergo surgery, as it can increase the risk of infection and healing complications. I would advise rescheduling the surgery until you're in top shape for the best result.

Taking an antibiotic is itself generally not a problem before surgery, but the illness that necessitated the antibiotic prescription may be a concern. Surgery may need to be postponed for any active infection. The additional stress of surgery may interfere with the body's immune response to the infection. An active infection could spread to a new breast implant. A productive cough may indicate pneumonia, which could worsen with general anesthesia. Other medical problems, like an asthma exacerbation, can also worsen with general anesthesia. Bottom line: if you develop any new medical problem, including an infection, before an upcoming procedure, tell your plastic surgeon. It may be safest to delay an elective procedure.Good question. Safety first.

I do not recommend taking antibiotics by mouth before surgery for a number of reasons. Broad spectrum antibiotics harm the good bacterial flora in our guts and are completely over-prescribed. Gut health is vital to overall body health. Intravenous antibiotics are the effective if given 30 minutes before the incision. Since you had a "sinus infection" and started taking the medication you need to finish the full course. You should know that most "sinus infections" are not bacterial (but viral) and antibiotics are over-prescribed and ineffective. You should be okay but I tell you this to educate and inform you, not to scare you. I recommend that you discuss this with your plastic surgeon. 

The antibiotics are not the problem, the infection is. Be sure your surgeon is aware of what is going on, you will need to be completely clear of any infections before surgery. Good luck.