after how long you are out of the risk of infection

[frank66665]

for everyone here, most of the fear of having an implant is contracting the infection, you know after how many days or months you can be sure you have escaped it, I'm at 15 days

[Bwtbbb]

Never, but you are probably over 99% safe after 6 weeks if you have no signs.

[Daytripper]

I asked my doctor this very same question, he responded infections presenting within the first 8 weeks are classified as immediate infections and the risk factors vary depending on diabetes, revision, is dr high volume, complications etc. And while an infection can present at any time he thinks if you make it to a year statistically the odds are in the patients favor of not experiencing an infection.

[newbie443]

The information I read is that after surgery the risk starts to go down over the first year. Maybe different rates of going down over that first year but the rate is still declining. Once you hit one year the rate is the same extremely low rate for as long as you have the device. It does happen even years later. So you must always use care for any jock rash or skin cuts and abrasions. The bio film that surrounds all the components of the device have a fluid that in some cases contain large amounts of bacteria. It think the info I read was just less than 50% for diabetic men. I don't remember or have not found the percentage for other or all men. This is the reason why infection is a higher risk for a reoperation where the device is disturbed. This bacteria is sealed up and not a problem most all the time. I would think a man could have an injury that could rupture the biofilm and cause a leak of bacteria if it was present. Just a guess on my part but a reason the rate never gets to zero.

[Cnidium]

I've never seen anyone one this forum post about getting an infection a year+ after surgery. I can't even recall anyone getting an infection months after surgery. I'm not saying that this can't happen, but if the other posters above me didn't state their cases (I guess they also don't have proof, again not saying they are wrong), I would have thought the infection rate would be 0% after x weeks or months post surgery (excluding future revisions).

I dont have concrete evidence to prove what I'm saying here, just anecdotal.

[newbie443]

I've never seen anyone one this forum post about getting an infection a year+ after surgery. I can't even recall anyone getting an infection months after surgery. I'm not saying that this can't happen, but if the other posters above me didn't state their cases (I guess they also don't have proof, again not saying they are wrong), I would have thought the infection rate would be 0% after x weeks or months post surgery (excluding future revisions).

I dont have concrete evidence to prove what I'm saying here, just anecdotal.

Lots of posts on this site and reading them all is really not done. I can remember not long ago looking at a members signature and seeing a man who did have a reoperation listed several years after the first IPP surgery for infection. The point and information was not in the post it was for some other reason. So I do not have the details of the cause of that infection. And I seem to remember this happening years ago also. The risk is extremely low and rare but it is there. And it is also present in other surgeries where other medical objects are placed in a persons body. I have 2 metal staples in my left foot. And after that for years I was required to medicate for dental cleaning and work. Just part of package. As long as we know and understand that there is a risk and take good care of ourselves than the risk can be avoided.

Just understand that this is real and don't let things go with care and prevention and we will all be fine. Infection is so bad with this device that we need to do all we can to prevent it.

[Gt1956]

I've never seen anyone one this forum post about getting an infection a year+ after surgery. I can't even recall anyone getting an infection months after surgery. I'm not saying that this can't happen, but if the other posters above me didn't state their cases (I guess they also don't have proof, again not saying they are wrong), I would have thought the infection rate would be 0% after x weeks or months post surgery (excluding future revisions).
I dont have concrete evidence to prove what I'm saying here, just anecdotal.

Proof you ask? I have a family member that got an infection in a lapband many months after the surgery. I won't say that it was a year but it was quite awhile after. It took several months to clear it. Still has several scars from the pus working its way to the surface.
As long as you have a foreign object in your body, there is some level of infection risk.

[Tokyo_123]

I recall that infections can be six weeks after surgery. If it's 8 weeks with nothing infected, youre fine. That said, I went to the hospital every week to have a plastic surgeon check for infection for the first 8 weeks before I was cleared. The surgeon was perhaps being overly cautious and gave me antibiotics during that time since there was a small hole. Again no danger, only being perhaps overly cautious, something that I appreciate.

[Old Guy]

The risk of infection is highest when there is any open wound or incision. Once healed the risk decreases significantly. Maintaining proper hygiene while healing is the best way to avoid infections.

One rare case I know of is the fellow who had been implanted probably late 90's. Mid 2010 or so his toothy gf nicked him during oral. He said nothing about it until it got infected and hurt. (Nursing home residents)

[WyoMan]

Since I have a total ankle replacement and a total knee replacement that Doctor recommends an antibiotic one hour before any teeth procedure it must be possible for infection. Smal possibility but some.