Tummy tuck and medical clearance question

Question

I had to have medical clearance from my Cardiologist. I see the Cardiologist because I have a Heart murmur (Vsd). She did a stress test and Echocardiogram. Everything came back okay and she cleared me for surgery with one condition that the surgeon give me IV Antibiotics before surgery. Today I received and email letting me know the Surgeon and his Anesthesiologists will go over my clearance and decide. I am wondering if I’ll be able to have surgery. Or is giving me antibiotic serious?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sarasol1022,every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Most plastic surgeons use antibiotic prophylaxis prior to surgeries as part of their protocol. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Medical clearances play a crucial role in determining if the patient is safe to have surgery. If your plastic surgeon required cardiac clearance prior to surgery, it is important that he or she reviews the recommendations from your cardiologist and follow through with them or discuss a specific plan with the cardiologist. Best of luck!

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

Getting cardiac clearance prior to surgery was a good first step.  Giving antibiotics at the time of surgery is a routine that is done for most types of procedures.  Make sure you discuss with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery.

Robert P. Schmid, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question! I would await the opinion of your doctors. They will almost 100% give you pre-op IV antibiotics; we board certified plastic surgeons almost always do. Best of luck to you!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Patients who have certain risk factors for bacterial infection are administered IV antibiotics one hour before the surgical incision. The most commonly administered drug is cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol) but your PS may have a different protocol.  You appear to have a team focused on the safety of your surgery.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on the cardiac clearance.  Now that all of your information is known, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will work together to achieve the best, safest, plan for your procedure.  It is now up to them to determine whether or not your procedure can continue.  As for your antibiotics, this is a routine part of surgical procedures as it limits the chance of postoperative infections.  In your case it is to prevent bacterial issues with your heart.  This is an important aspect of your overall surgical care.  Hope this helps.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm glad a cardiac clearance was done.  Hopefully your surgeon and anesthesia team can get that reviewed  and approved ASAP and decide on any special care or monitoring you may need before, during, or after surgery.

Robert J. Spies, MD · Answer

If your cardiologist cleared you for the surgery, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will decide to proceed.  Be sure to have copies of lab work and tests available for them to see.  IV antibiotics are usually given just before the operation routinely, so do not think that is a serious issue.Good luck to you.Dr Spies

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Sara. I appreciate your concern, however I doubt that the antibiotic issue will be a problem with regard to your upcoming Tummytuck surgery. As long as your cardiologist cleared you for surgery, it is doubtful that the antibiotic stipulation will be an issue. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You did the right thing by visiting your cardiologist to get medically cleared for surgery.  However the final decision will be up to your surgeon and anesthesiologist to determine if you are a good candidate for the tummy tuck taking your entire medical history and physical exam into consideration.  It is normal protocol in many cases to receive antibiotics before surgery so that should not be a deciding factor.

Tummy tuck and medical clearance question

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