Just curious if anyone knows how long the waiting period is before swimming after surgery? Thanks!

I asked that question today to my surgeon and N.P. I was told 4 weeks or until your incisions are completely healed.

Thank you!

I would say at least 4 weeks

My doctor said no bathing in a tub for the first 4 weeks and no swimming for 3-4 months.

My doctor said no bathing in a tub for the first 4 weeks and no swimming for 3-4 months.

I think mine said 3 months as well.

Some Drs say when incisions heal, others say 3-4 months, and I think the difference is because swimming uses LOTS of muscles, especially in the abdomen. Probably would depend if you were just gonna play around in a pool or do some serious laps.

I would say follow your own Dr's advice.

I swim laps ... lots of them... and after telling my doc this, he said 3 months... If you really swim laps, then you know that it stretches/uses your stomach muscles a lot... if you are just going to putter around in the pool or do some stretching/mild Water aerobics, then 1 month or whatever your doc said for walking should be fine...

But warning... you might want to avoid swimming for a while... you know how the water temperature drops your body temp, causing you to be hungry... that might still affect you even post-op...

Opps.. just read Disney's post after posting this... and totally agree with her!! LOL

I have Aqua P.T. for my knee replacement twice a week now. I asked my surgeon when could I get back into the pool after my sleeve surgery. He told me 2 weeks. I guess that might be because I am not aggressively swimming, but rather doing leg exercises. Anyway the sooner the better for me. I have no pain when in the salt Water pool.

:bathbaby:

Valentina

I swim laps ... lots of them... and after telling my doc this, he said 3 months... If you really swim laps, then you know that it stretches/uses your stomach muscles a lot... if you are just going to putter around in the pool or do some stretching/mild water aerobics, then 1 month or whatever your doc said for walking should be fine...

But warning... you might want to avoid swimming for a while... you know how the water temperature drops your body temp, causing you to be hungry... that might still affect you even post-op...

Opps.. just read Disney's post after posting this... and totally agree with her!! LOL

Thank you all so much for the info.! I realized after I read some of the responses, when I say "swimming" I actually mean "floating around the pool on a mat." Sorry, I should've been more specific! Glad you guys were able to read between the lines to figure out what I meant!

I do intend to swim laps eventually. Looks like the general consensus is at least 3 months on that.

Thanks again everyone!

That's cool I taught Water aerobics as one of my part-time jobs in college, as well as lifeguarding at my uni pool... one woman who had had her knee replaced, could hardly get in and out of the pool when she started... i had to help her... but after a few months of daily w.a. she was practically hopping out of the pool by herself... That made me so proud!! And in a salt water pool is even cooler cuz of the increased buoyancy you get....

I have Aqua P.T. for my knee replacement twice a week now. I asked my surgeon when could I get back into the pool after my sleeve surgery. He told me 2 weeks. I guess that might be because I am not aggressively swimming, but rather doing leg exercises. Anyway the sooner the better for me. I have no pain when in the salt water pool.

:bathbaby:

Valentina

I swam at 6 weeks and my incisions were healed!