Swimming

[Croatica 0]

Oh, yes, its that time of the year! Its time to go to the seaside! :biggrin1:

Anyways, I am a great fan of scuba diving and generally swimming along shallow coastal regions/reefs. However, my doctor told me I should not do this, because there is chance for the band to slipp off. Honestly, I believe its a bunch of bull, since I read on the Internet that I can resume swimming after 4-6 weeks after operation!

And I would rather swimm, since it is great aerobic workout that burns callories. Any opinions, experiences? :biggrin1:

[Wheetsin 714]

I've not heard that. I am a diver, but have not been since banding... however, I do swim, every day when I get the chance. No problems here, and I was never advised against swimming. With the way *most* doctors are installing the band now, there's no way for it to slip "off". Off of what? It's *around* something, that's attached to something else at both ends. There's no way it's slipping *off*.

[jqpublic 1]

I' try to swim every day even if it's only twenty minute's for full body streghing! Hit's all muscle groups and is easy on by bad back!!!

[Croatica 0]

I've not heard that. I am a diver, but have not been since banding... however, I do swim, every day when I get the chance. No problems here, and I was never advised against swimming. With the way *most* doctors are installing the band now, there's no way for it to slip "off". Off of what? It's *around* something, that's attached to something else at both ends. There's no way it's slipping *off*.

How the heck should I know? :biggrin1:

The nurse told me I cannot swimm in any way which requires for my arms to move in a circular motion. She told me my band was attached to my diaphragm and she told me it would fall off if I strained it too hard, lol. I suspected it is just bunch of bull anyways, so I asked here. You swimm regularly then? All styles? :biggrin1:

[Jachut 487]

That has to be the stupidest thing I"ve ever heard, lol. Not move your arms in a circular motion in case the band slips off? Sheesh.

I like swimming once I get there, I love the silence under the Water, and I can swim well enough to get a good 40 laps of the olympic pool in without stopping at the ends, so its a great workout.

I have heard and read things lots of times about swimming not being great for fat burning due to your body temperature not being raised as much but I think that's bull to be honest, I get plenty hot if I swim hard, and any exercise is good exercise, its great for your heart and lungs and its good to do something that works your upper body for a change. Also I think lots of people stop at the end of the pool for a breather, not keeping their heart rate elevated the whole time. My husband for example simply cannot pace himself with swimming, he goes too fast, gets puffed, has to stop, he cant get a slow steady pace going that he can maintain for 40 minutes.

What I dont like about swimming is its inconvenient - you have to get to the pool, get wet, get dressed again etc. My hair could never ever cope with three or four times a week in a chlorinated pool, it would just snap off and I dont pay hundreds to get it coloured just to bleach it all out again, it dries my skin out and gives me eczema if I do it with any regularity, it makes my nails break and the polish come off my toenails, lol. And I do NOT have hair that can just be washed and left to dry naturally as it goes all kinky, I have to blow dry it. I hate having to cart a huge bag of clothes to the pool too.

[NJChick 3]

I also swim every day that I can because our summers are not that long and with my bad spine and joints, swimming is something I can do and love to do. Its amazing how you can feel muscles you don't even know you have LOL.

Enjoy :tea:

[beachgirl 2]

My doctor told me and it was on my post op instructions to weight at least 4 weeks. We had just had a pool installed 5 days before surgery and it's killing me. It's only been 2 weeks. So, I just go out there and look at it. LOL

[Alexandra 55]

Not moving your arms in a circular motion? Your band is attached to your diaphragm? These are new ones on me.

When I started working with a personal trainer, he put my body through paces I really didn't think would be safe with the band. I asked my doctor repeatedly about whether I could damage it or myself, and was assured each time that I really couldn't do anything via exercising. Period. It's located deep within your body and no matter how you twist, turn, or use your muscles exercising it is not going to move your band.

I know, it was hard for me to believe in the first place too. But my surgeon is really a recognized authority on this stuff, and I figure he knows what he's talking about.

[Tricia K. 0]

Not moving your arms in a circular motion? Your band is attached to your diaphragm? These are new ones on me.

When I started working with a personal trainer, he put my body through paces I really didn't think would be safe with the band. I asked my doctor repeatedly about whether I could damage it or myself, and was assured each time that I really couldn't do anything via exercising. Period. It's located deep within your body and no matter how you twist, turn, or use your muscles exercising it is not going to move your band.

I know, it was hard for me to believe in the first place too. But my surgeon is really a recognized authority on this stuff, and I figure he knows what he's talking about.

My surgeon said the same thing. He has no limitations on any physical activity.

[Croatica 0]

I guess he thought right after the surgery. Today he told me I can do whatever I want. :biggrin1:

Anyways, going to the seaside tomorrow.

[gochevy3 0]

I think there are 2 different questions that are being asked here.

1. How long after i have my surgery can I be in a pool (lets face it, alot of us call floating in the pool swimming) My doctor said I can be in my pool 1 week after surgery, floating. Which I have been doing.

2. When can I go lap swimming? That answer was 1 month after surgery, with no restrictions.

My doctor is full well aware, that my long term goal is to complete Ironman Az in 2008. If there were any restrictions to swimming he would have said that I cant go out and swim 2.4miles....

[Wheetsin 714]

Croatica, find out what your doctor is smoking and send me some! :smoke

[Croatica 0]

Croatica, find out what your doctor is smoking and send me some! :smoke

No, he injects himself. And others. :biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1::biggrin1:

[Jachut 487]

I was told not to go into a pool or even the bath for four weeks simply because of the risk of infection to healing wounds but after that it was fair game.

So if you're allowed in so soon (and its only a risk, the infection, not a certainty) then if you feel you can swim, you probably can. Its not high impact or anything, just take it gently for a few weeks. By four weeks you should be able to swim laps.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I was told I could swim 2 weeks after surgery and do any kind of strenous exercise 4 weeks post-op. The only limit was not lifting anything over 25 pounds for 6 weeks.