Swimming after top surgery?

[greypeacock]

Heya! I'm sure this has been asked before, but how soon after surgery can you go swimming? I know avoiding sun is important, and don't mind wearing a shirt, but really love swimming. I have surgery in May, and assume I can't swim until 2015 likely? Thanks!

[Bimmer Guy]

Heya! I'm sure this has been asked before, but how soon after surgery can you go swimming? I know avoiding sun is important, and don't mind wearing a shirt, but really love swimming. I have surgery in May, and assume I can't swim until 2015 likely? Thanks!

Most surgeons say you can do anything you want after 6 weeks.  I'm sure that swimming is one of the things you can do.

[Alexthecat]

I imagine you will be fine after the incision closes up. Don't want to get body fluids on all the other swimmers now, Gross. I wouldn't swim a marathon however. Maybe just some light doggie paddle.

[RaymAnthony]

Anyone know about how soon for competitive swimming?

[Ryan D]

Anyone know about how soon for competitive swimming?

I'd assume that it's much longer, probably a few months since that's how long you're supposed to wait to really exercise your upper body. Plus it seems like swimming would really stretch the scars because of the movements required. So yeah, I think that light swimming, i.e. hanging out in the pool in a shirt with some friends, should be fine, but competitive swimming should wait a while.