When can you go swimming after breast augmentation?

The answer to your question depends on what exactly you mean when you say "swim".  In my practice, I allow patients to submerge the incision in clean water after 3 weeks, hanging out in a swimming pool or taking a bath are typically fine at this point in your recovery.  As for swimming laps, I recommend my patients wait until 6 weeks after surgery.  As always, consult with your plastic surgeon.  He or she can make decisions based off your individual situation and each surgeon has his or her own recommendations.  Best of luck!         

Dear claudzilla,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question!  Typically, I allow my patients to swim or submerge in water after I see them at 3 weeks.  However, every plastic surgeon is different, so I would check with him or her to ensure that you are following their specific instructions.  Good luck!

It is best to have your surgeon give you the ok to resume swimming. We always want to be sure the wounds are healed before allowing patients to submerge the incisions in water such as swimming or tub.

I recommend that my breast augmentation patients wait at least two weeks before swimming. Some plastic surgeons may recommend waiting longer, but I have not had any issues with my breast augmentation patients getting in a pool or the ocean two weeks after this procedure. I imagine that you are fine to go for a swim at three weeks, but you may want to run this by your plastic surgeon. 

Thank you for your question.  Although post operative instructions do vary from one plastic surgeon to another, I recommend waiting a full 4 weeks before swimming.  Best to follow the specific instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon.  Good luck.

Each surgeon has their own specific
guidelines about what you can do and when following surgery and I encourage
patients to seek guidance from their surgeon.
Some general principles are as follows:
For the first week, take it easy. Walking is
encouraged, but nothing more vigorous. Avoid lifting anything more than a few pounds
and don’t lift over your headOver the next several weeks, you can
gradually increase activity and range of motion, but don’t do anything that
increases your heart rate. Still avoid heavy lifting.After 4-6 weeks, most surgeons allow gradually
more strenuous activity and heavier lifting but go slow. Most surgeons allow submersion in pools/
tubs once the incisions are fully healed. However, swimming and water sports
need to be considered as “activities” as outlined above.

Congratulations claudzilla on your recent surgery.  I recommend to my patients no working out or heavy lifting for 4 weeks.  With that being said I don't necessarily think it is any issue to go into the pool or ocean, but wouldn't recommend strenuous swimming.  You want to avoid your blood pressure rising, additional swelling and increase of blood supply to the breast area.  I would recommend that you follow up with your PS and follow his or her recommendation. 

Hello! Thanks so much for your question. Typically, it is best to wait 4-6 weeks before submerging the incisions in any body of water. Of course, it is always best to consult with your surgeon as different practices have different post-op care for healing.
Congratulations on your breast augmentation and best of luck!

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your breast augmentation.  I ask my patients to refrain from submerging their incisions for at least 4 weeks after surgery while physically swimming may take 6 weeks or longer.  Hope this helps.