Swimming...

Poodles · July 10, 2006

Ok, this may be a stupid question, but here goes:

How long should you wait to go swimming after surgery. I figure it is like a bath right? So two to three weeks?

What have your doctors said?

Jachut · July 10, 2006

I was told 4 weeks. I kind of forgot about it though and took my daughter to the indoor pool with my sister and niece. Then I realised afterwards that I was supposed to have waited. It's because public pools pose an infection risk when you have recent wounds.

paula · July 10, 2006

*This is definately NOT a stupid question.*

Im thinking 4 weeks too.

This question has been asked around here before. Try doing a search to see what others have said in the past.

or...

you could always call your surgeon and get it straight from the horses mouth.

If you decide to go swimming and wear your new slim -n- sleek bikini, remember - we want pix :biggrin1:

Morsaille · July 10, 2006

My doc said 6 weeks or until your scabs are GONE.

I didn't and softened one of my scabs so that the scar over one of my small incisions is quite wide.

Some people say that they used waterproof bandages, others are real sticklers for the 6 week mark.

barbara465 · July 10, 2006

My doctor said 2 weeks after surgery.

Leila · July 10, 2006

My Dr.'s guidelines are 2 weeks after surgery as well. I went swimming one day early, LOL. You shouldn't swim with open sores though of any kind, surgical or otherwise, because you risk infection. If your incision sites are not healed over, then don't swim until they are. I heal very fast, and had no scabbing or open sores, just closed over new red scars by around 10 days post-op, so felt fine to swim, just to be super careful I was cleaning them gently with antiseptic post swim and applying neosporin ointment with Vitamin E as well. If you're unsure and want to swim earlier if you can get a Dr. to take a look at your incision sites they should be able to tell you if you are healed enough to swim or not.

Poodles · July 11, 2006

Have an appointment tomorrow and will have him check out my incisions from the band and the hernia operation. I am two weeks out from the hernia operation. My baby went in the pool by himself today, and had fun without me. He is growing so quickly... he is tall enough to go down the big slide at the waterpark now.

Thank you for all of the input. Wish there was a clear answer for this, but seems, as with the band, different doctors say different things.

Time to love me · July 12, 2006

I met with the surgeon today and he told me to wait 2 weeks. I know all Dr's are different, but I asked for myself too. I live on a lake and I was curious.