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

Swimming after sleeve



Recommended Posts

So what is the true amount of time you should wait. I hate staring at my pool and seeing the family in there without being able to join them. I had my sleeve done June 26th and all my wounds seem healed pretty much. Just want to get in the pool

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every surgeon/program has their own guidelines on this, but it seems common to be 3-4 weeks before swimming (my guidance was 4 weeks, but one of my incision sites has been a slow healer so I've waited).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The general consensus that I have seen, and my doc's policy as well, is no immersion until all of the incisions have healed closed, typically about three weeks. I had one that was still weeping some so it wound up being four weeks for me until all was sealed up. Getting wet, as in a shower, is usually fine, but no immersion. So, until then, it's just dangling feet in the Water time.

Once you do get in, take it slow, stretch things out and explore your range of motion to make sure nothing is hanging up before going for Olympic training.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well it’s been 6 weeks for me. My doctor had said up to 3 months and that just doesn’t seem right. All of my wounds seem sealed

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told I could swim once all the surgical glue and scabs had fallen off, which was at about four weeks out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not a Dr. but when I had my two week checkup, I was given the okay to swim, take a hot bath, swim in the beach, lift any amount of lbs. Again, that was after she saw my incisions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said 3 weeks. I'm about 3 1/2 weeks out now, and I've been in the pool a couple of times. I found that stretching out to swim hurt the "big" site just below my left rib, which was the largest opening through which he removed most of my stomach. I'm taking it easy, but it feels GREAT!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told 4 weeks for a pool and 6 weeks for the lake.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Mebadwow said:

Well it’s been 6 weeks for me. My doctor had said up to 3 months and that just doesn’t seem right. All of my wounds seem sealed

That could be to ensure you have completely healed internally as well as externally. You wouldn’t want to risk pulling or straining something internally. My surgeon also told me no reaching up to high shelves for about a month & recommended lifting nothing for two weeks, up to 5kg for the next fortnight, then up to 10kg, then as normally.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Get a can of leak seal spray belly and go have some fun! I was in the pool in 2 weeks once my cuts were sealed he said go for it you are Water tight

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was swimming at around 5 weeks when we took an overseas holiday. I kept my incisions out of the sun as UV can make scars darken.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgeon released me to swim at 2 weeks. We have a pool only used by hubs and me. A public pool may have tighter restriction (greater bacterial risk).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Three weeks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just found this old thread cause I was curious too. Our pool gets opened on Tuesday but surgery is May 19th. Gonna suck not being able to get in for a while. Especially since I'm the primary one who takes the grandkids in. Bleh

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

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 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

    ×