Antibiotics - Pre Op

Brissiebabe · April 4, 2005

Hey there,

Does anyone know anything about the effect of antibiotics 2 weeks pre op? I have had the last week off work sick with the flu and the doctor put me on a course of anitbiotics, however I am due to go into surgery in 2 weeks tomorrow, will they still operate? Or could it be too dangerous?

I would appreciate any feedback on this, cause you guys are the experts!

Thanks

New Hope · April 4, 2005

We're certainly not experts, just banded patients sharing encouragement and support. You should check with your doctor as soon as possible. He/she may want to rerun some blood tests to see if you are too ill to operate on. Be sure and tell him/her the type of antibiotic, strength, and dosage you are taking and what you are taking it for. I would not want to have surgery if I was sick. The dr. may want to postpone it a few days just to be on the safe side - which is certainly not the end of the world. Best of luck to you!

Penni60 · April 4, 2005

I would check with your Band doctor and let them know that you were taking the antibiotics. The important thing now is how are you feeling? Are the flu symptoms gone? Did you take the whole prescription of antibiotics. Typically they only give like a 10 to 14 day prescription. That is how long the flu or specifically how long it takes for the antibiotic to get rid of it. The thing I always get a kick out of is that flus and colds are all viruses. They should really prescribe an antifungal instead of antibiotic but I guess they have their reasons. LOL!!

Bottom line is call your band doctor tell him that you were taking the antibiotic and see what he says.

Bloodwork could show you have this drug in your system but I am not sure it would show that. But they might want to see how the drug affected your red cells, white cells, and platelets. I don't know what drug you were prescribed. IF your white cells are elevated then they might hold off on the surgery till it is lower. I don't know what the criteria would be for them to hold off on the surgery. That is another question for the band surgeon.