Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Dental work before surgery?



Recommended Posts

So my process of getting the sleeve has extended way beyond what I had in mind. I wanted the sleeve done in October originally but now the end of the year is soon approaching and I may do it right before or shortly into the new year. There's just been so many set backs and I guess I didn't do as much research as I intially thought.

So hopefully this is my final set back before proceeding with the surgery.

After experiencing tooth pain I remembered I have dental work I need to do which lead me to research whether I should take care of it before or after surgery. As most people know in the US dental work can be extremely expensive and most of us going to Mexico to self pay are doing so because it's less expensive or insurance won't cover it. But unfortunately I read that a tooth infection should be cleared prior to surgery. So my question is this. If I am prescribed antibiotics and get the infection cleared does anyone know if it is possible to proceed with surgery before completing the root canal?

I am a 22 year old and I've managed to save a little over $7000 in the past 7 months just for the surgery I have no real career so the money I make is limited and I am working two retail jobs just to do so. Hopefully you can understand why the money crunch is an issue. I do plan on getting all my dental work sorted out but I really wanted the surgery before the New Year. And I am quitting one job soon to give my body time to relax so I am ready for surgery meaning my stress levels should be lower. So that is why I rather take the antibiotics and then proceed with the root canal after vsg. Maybe 4-6 weeks after VSG. Anyone have any advice to give? Today is Sunday and I rather call the office and speak to someone on Monday but before then I would really really appreciate any input from anyone at all! Thank you all so much!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Chewing food is SO IMPORTANT after surgery. I would get your dental work done before hand so you have nice healthy teeth to chew with.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What about getting the dental work done in Mexico while you are there? Dental is much cheaper down there. Do the dental on Monday and surgery Tuesday. I know that the team that I worked with would have no problem with helping out a patient for something like that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Chewing food is SO IMPORTANT after surgery. I would get your dental work done before hand so you have nice healthy teeth to chew with.

The only thing that stresses me out is that the length of the dental work would expand over several months and cost all the money I saved for the surgery. The infection is localized to only one area. Other than that I really have no problems with my mouth. Maybe a cavity or two I need filled but no chipped or cracked teeth, no red inflamed gum, no deep pockets or bleeding when brushing. However when I was quoted at the dentist office I was told I need a lot of work done. Nothing major just simple things and wisdom teeth extractions.

I mainly want to get the one infection taken care of and then proceed to surgery. Heal up and continue the dental work once again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What about getting the dental work done in Mexico while you are there? Dental is much cheaper down there. Do the dental on Monday and surgery Tuesday. I know that the team that I worked with would have no problem with helping out a patient for something like that.

That's actually a great idea! But I am mainly concerned with getting the infection taken care of prior to surgery which I was told could take approximately 7-10 days of antibiotics. Maybe I can get antibiotics prescribed here and then proceed to Mexico with the rest of dental work and the gastric sleeve!

Do you have the contact information of who you worked with? I love you idea.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure why it would matter if you had it done before or after. You can always ask the surgeon if it's OK to be on antibiotics during the time you're having surgery. If not - have the dental work done after - or a couple of weeks before.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure why it would matter if you had it done before or after. You can always ask the surgeon if it's OK to be on antibiotics during the time you're having surgery. If not - have the dental work done after - or a couple of weeks before.

You are absolutely right I was thinking of this as a one way or the other. I definitely should call the office tomorrow and see what suggestions they give maybe speak to the surgeon as well and see what he thinks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You need to get your teeth taken care of before for sure. Once you have been on antibiotics for a period of time, the infection should be under control so if you get going on it, you will meet your timeline.

if you cannot get it done soon, I personally would push out my surgery. it is dangerous to go into a surgery with an infection of any kind.

Not sure how Mexico works but i know here in the states, they run a test in pre op holding area just to make sure that your body has no infection. At least they did with me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You need to get your teeth taken care of before for sure. Once you have been on antibiotics for a period of time, the infection should be under control so if you get going on it, you will meet your timeline if you cannot get it done soon, I personally would push out my surgery. it is dangerous to go into a surgery with an infection of any kind.

Not sure how Mexico works but i know here in the states, they run a test in pre op holding area just to make sure that your body has no infection. At least they did with me.

Of course! So I will see a dentist tomorrow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Marie1120

Glad to hear it and best of luck to you! It will all be worth it in the end.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×