Plastic Surgery and MRSA

[TonyaHurt]

I am a post op bariatric patient who lost over 260 lbs. I have had surgeries yearly since 2004. I had complications with my bariatric surgery and ended up with MRSA. I have had my gall bladder removed, abdominalplasty, and a c section. I am scheduled for a inner thigh lift next week. I haven't given it much thought about the dangers and my history of MRSA until co workers starting vocalizing their concern about my healthy and quite frankly dying. My surgeon is well aware of my history of MRSA and complications of surgeries. He performed my abdominalplasty. My complications from that surgery were a knicked artery and an staff infection. My most recent surgery was in July of 2007 and it was my c section. I had twins and the MRSA reared its ugly head. I did not have any real issues, compared to past surgeries except a small open wound and home IV's. I guess my question is, with my history do I need to be anymore fearful of severe complications? I have researched this issue and I am getting conflicting information.

[TonyaHurt]

They only time I have had a nasal culture was after my c section. They sent me home on vac. Thank you for the insight and I believe I will consult with an infectious disease dr. God bless

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

This complicated problem has no easy answer.  Among the questions I would have is are you a carrier of MRSA (i.e. have you had a nasal culture for staph, do you have any ongoing open wounds that might harbor staph).  Your massive weight loss immediately says that the quality of your skin and underlying tissues is not normal or necessarily healthy.  An infectious disease specialist might also be a resource to consult with about prophylactic antibiotic coverage.