How Soon After Breast Reduction Surgery Can I Go into my Swimming Pool (Salt Water)

My surgery is scheduled for July, how soon after can i go into my swimming pool (salt water, heated pool). I realize i probably cannot start swimming laps around the pool, but just going in the water to cool off? thank you

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by lauramor65 in Montreal, QC

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Swimming after Surgery

Thank you for your question. Of course you will need to check with your physician, but generally if everything is well healed between 6-8 weeks post op surgery, you can go into the pool. Keep in mind that sometimes there is delayed wound healing after surgery and if that occurs, you would need to wait and not go into a pool until all incision lines are healed. I hope this helps.

Swimming after breast reduction

I ask my patients to refrain from using swimming pools or hot tubs for two to three weeks after surgery. It is important to ensure that the incisions from the surgery are well healed. Otherwise, pool water that is contaminated with bacteria may enter the surgical wounds and cause an infection.

Swimming after surgery

This is a question you need to ask your surgeon. Personally, I use buried sutures and have none on the surface. Therefore, the wound is generally sealed in about 8 hours. Once this happens, going in a pool should not be a problem. If, however, there is any oozing from the wound or there is any indication it is not healing, you should not be in the pool. You can, however, wash the wound to keep it clean. You should not swim or jump into the pool for about a month or longer to allow the... more

Swimming after breast reduction

It takes about 2-3 weeks for the incision to really seal nicely. Soaking in a pool at 3 weeks is probably not advisable. While you probably can wade in the pool as long as your breasts do not soak, it is probably ok. I hav emy patients wait about 6 weeks to swim.

Steven Wallach, MD

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Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction and Healing Time

How Soon After Breast Reduction Surgery Can I Go into my Swimming Pool (Salt Water) My surgery is scheduled for July, how soon after can i go into my swimming pool (salt water, heated pool). I realize i probably cannot start swimming laps around the pool, but just going in the water to cool off? thank you Usually at about 2-3 weeks time the incisions are pretty much healed. So as long as my patients dont have any open areas I allow them to submerge the incision sites... more

How Soon After Breast Reduction Surgery Can I Go into my Swimming Pool (Salt Water)

In my personal practice I request at least 3 weeks healing and all wounds healed. No scabs or open areas should be present.

Swimming after breast reduction

Clean soap and water is great even the day after breast reduction. Swimming should be OK as soon as the incisions are healed, clean, and dry without any suture spitting, usually after two to three weeks. Cool chlorinated pool water is best. Heated saltwater is more of a primordial stew where critters abound. Be sure you are well healed. Until then perhaps a run through the sprinkler to stay cool. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Wetting wounds after surgery

Every surgeon has different ideas about wetting wounds. In my practice,in 30 years , my patients shower within 24 hrs. In a shower any drainage will harmlessly go down the drain. If it's your pool (either salt or chlorine And propperly cared for) they can go in 24 hrs after drainage has stopped. Most public pools will not allow people with wounds to bathe.

Breast reduction

When swimming is acceptable is up to your surgeon. All of us use similar technique and stitches, but each surgeon knows in general how quickly his or her patients will heal. I allow my patients to shower the next day. As long as the do not submerge their incisions, they can get into water whenever they choose. Assuming they heal without any difficulties, swimming is ok at 4 weeks. You need to ask your surgeon.