My dh and I are planning a vacation and I didn't even think about when it would be safe and OK to swim in a pool or ocean. How long did it take for your incisions to seal up and close? We plan on going on vacation one month after surgery. Should we skip the beach?

I'm a swimmer and my surgeon gave me the go ahead to swim at 3 weeks.

After the 2 week pre-op appt. my surgeon gave me a complete release as to exercise and swimming. I would ask. 3 of my incisons are completely closed and 2 still have scabs.

My doc, Dr. Gregory Walton, said I could take showers immediately after surgery because the Durabond (glue) on my incisions would be OK. He said hold off for six weeks (tomorrow) on immersion like taking a bath, so they'd heal well before I did that. It's a matter of increasing the size of your scars I think.

Maybe you could walk in the surf but keep from having incisions underwater for an extended period of time. Sounds like a great time!!!

CC

Doctor said I was good to go swimming and taking a bath when the glue and strips fell off. They came off in about 3 weeks. I would call and make sure what your doctor says before doing either of them.

Vaca at the beach sounds awesome.

thank you so much everyone! we may just head to vegas or something. i have a huge fear that if we go in a pool or rinse off with outside shower water i may get an infection or something, haha.

I am 3 1/2 weeks out and my incisions are pretty much all sealed up. I could take showers from Day 1. However, I am supposed to wait 6 weeks for total immersion (baths, swimming). What did your doc tell you?

Wont get to talk to surgeon again for three weeks. surgery is in four. need to book vacation before then. of course i would ask the surgeon if i could, but i cant before we book, so, i dont want to waste money on a vaca that i wont get to enjoy.

its not really a matter of, when can i technically be submerged, its a matter of, im a germ freak and if everyone's scabs arent healed but are given the go, im still not going under nasty Mexico Water, haha! =) i think we will skip international, skip the beach and just stay somewhere around here.

thanks everyone! really appreciate your input!

Being submerged isn't the problem. I've never had a problem with getting sick in Mexico. I've always had an Iron stomach and it appears that my smaller sleeve is pretty resilient too. I always eat outside of the resorts. That said, so close after surgery we are still healing and a bout of Montezuma's revenge could land us in the hospital.

Yeah, stay closer.