Question:
Post Op Antibiotics - which ones work...which don't?

LAP RNY 12/22/05 - About a month ago I got sick for the first time since surgery. They called it a sinus infection that had moved into my ears. Originally I was on Zithromax for 5 days and was feeling better. Five days later I started with a fever and the same symptoms I had a week earlier. This time they called me in Levaquin. Took these for 10 days...and felt great again. Now...one week later I am sick again. Fever, can barely swallow...headache, etc. I have a call into my surgeon to see if there are any specific antibiotics that they suggest, but I've been waiting ALL DAY. Has anyone else had an issue with antibiotics not working properly?    — mmcphee1 (posted on August 3, 2006)

August 3, 2006
Hello Mary, In June I came down with strep throat took amoxicillen to 10 days and it did not work, my doctor then gave me Zithormax for the 5 days it took about 4 weeks for my symptoms to go away. Maybe it more allergy or virus related which an antibotic will not work?
   — Tina G.

August 3, 2006
I had that problem, my doctor felt good old fashion penicillian (I am a terrible speller) would be best. It did work but took over 4 weeks. He did a complete workup on my blood and found out I was suffering from malnutrition and that most likely my imune system was weak. I tripled my protein intake and I am doing just fine.
   — WMKaisla

August 3, 2006
I cannot take penicillin (allergic) or tetracycline or erythromycin (pouch burners), so I'm left with Levaquin or Keflex. I have suggested to the docs who rx for me that they divide the dose in half, then double. So, if they wanted me to take two 500's of Kefelx, I'd prefer to have four 250's. I will get better absorption and even that one tends to bother my tummy. I try to get the smaller doses spread over more time. You might experiment with that. BTW, I had sinus surgery shortly before my WLS because I was SO tired of living on antibiotics, then yeast infection meds, then I'd have another and so on.
   — vitalady

August 3, 2006
Levaquin is a very heavy duty broad spectrum antibiotic....if your symptoms came back it is mot likely a virus which just needs to run its course...Most upper respiratory infection are. I hope you feel better but often times the best treatment is rest, hydration, and time.
   — SteffieBear15

August 4, 2006
If its truly an infection, maybe you could ask for a shot of antis, and then your prescription. I had strep throat in April, just one month after surgery and they gave me a shot of anti and cleared right up. We just dont absorb the anti so what they give you would not be strong enough. Hope you feel better soon.
   — Courtney B.

August 4, 2006
If you have a viral infection, no antibiotic at all will work. Antibiotics don't kill viruses - never have, never will. Also, you may be coming into contact with different strains of bacteria, or the bacteria may be antibiotic-resistant. It is not a matter of what works because you've had WLS - it has more to do with what is causing the repeated infections. If you have a viral infection, the best you can do is treat the symptoms-Tylenol for the fever and aches.
   — koogy