How long after surgery until you can swim in a pool? Just a paddle not actually swimming laps or anything.

Swimming can begin when the wounds are clean and epithelialized. Soreness may resolve after a few weeks, but swimming and non-strenuous exercise may begin quite earlier. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACSLos Angeles

Thank you for your question. Avoid soaking in water for about 2 weeks. Actual swimming should be avoided about 4-6 weeks. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington OakbrookChicago

It is always best to follow the recommendation of your board certified plastic surgeon as to your exercise tolerance. Your surgeon will know about your tissues, how much he had to do with the pocket, etc. When you do get the OK, make sure to wear very good sports bras. Also ease into it. Don't run a marathon the first day. We see patients post op and let them know their limitations at their appointment. Running is usually about 8 weeks out. Swimming will depend on many variables, including how strenuous your swim is going to be. Are we talking long competitive swims in the ocean, or cooling off in the pool? Please talk to your plastic surgeon and make a plan about your exercise tolerance.

At 2 weeks after your surgery, you should be okay to go underwater if your recovery is going well. Swimming should not be done until about 6 weeks after surgery. However, please follow your surgeon's advice if they advise something different.If you're outside, please make sure you cover up your incisions from sun exposure, as not doing so can make your scars much more noticeable.  

Hello! Thank you for your question! On average, a period of approximately 3-4 weeks on average is typical. Submerging in stagnant water, be it bathtubs, jacuzzis, pools, lakes, oceans, etc. can certainly increase your chance for infections. I usually await the incisions to be fully healed prior to allowing for this type of activity. If you do have any wound issues or delayed healing, expect that you will be restricted from doing such things. However, I allow my patients to shower and clean incisions at 3 days postoperative. Regardless, the answer will vary amongst plastic surgeons and you should discuss this with your surgeon and follow his/her instructions. Best wishes!

Post op recovery - great question - i tell folks to hold off on swimming for one month post-op. best, cd

I tell my patients that they can get the incisions wet in the shower about 36 hours after surgery, but to avoid soaking in either a tub or pool for about 2 weeks after surgery as long as the healing process is progressing normally. Actually swimming with aggressive arm movements should be avoided for about 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Good question, I tell patients three weeks. The answer has nothing to do with using your muscles its the fact that weird and wacky infections usually come from open bodies of water

Thank you for the question.Your plastic surgeon will be in the best position to guide you in regards to activity resumption after breast  augmentation surgery. From the healing standpoint most patients are able to swim again starting 3 to 6 weeks after surgery.From the safety standpoint,  much of the timing of returning to swimming will depend on exactly what you mean by swimming. For some people this means wading knee-high;  for some people it may means swimming  long distances in choppy water.  For this reason, return to activities should be individualized  and gradual.  I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question! It depends, if your incision site is completely healed, I would say six weeks after your surgery, on any site of the body. If it has not closed yet, it may need up to eight weeks post operative before you can be submerged in water.