How Soon Can I Swim After a Breast Reduction/lift?

Patients are
eager to return to normal activity as soon as possible following cosmetic
surgery.Unfortunately, returning to
normal activity too soon can result in an increased potential for complications.
Swimming and time in the jacuzzi are both activities that could potentially
have negative consequences if resumed too soon.Theoretically, once the skin edges
have sealed in about 48 hours following surgery, these activities can be
resumed.In reality, small absorbable
interrupted sutures may break through the skin and become exposed.In this situation infection could occur in a
patient who is submerged in a jacuzzi, pool, pond, or ocean.Each of these environments may have unique
bacteria that may be antibiotic resistant.In addition, plastic surgeons generally don’t
recommend resumption of strenuous activities for a least six weeks following
breast reduction.Swimming can create
significant strain on the core muscles and should therefore be avoided in the
immediate post-operative period.It’s important to remember that
every patient’s procedure and post-operative course is unique.For these reasons, make sure you consult your
plastic surgeon before getting into the water.It’s important to remember that
every patient’s procedure and post-operative course is unique.For these reasons, make sure you consult your
plastic surgeon before getting into the water.

 I recommend my patients to wait at least 4 weeks before returning to swimming. You must feel fit to return and incisions must be completely healed before submerging into water .

Thank you for your question. in 5-6 weeks you should be healed and ready to start exercising.  Follow your surgeons recommendations. Best wishes. 

Thank you for your question. Usually patients can start to soak in  pool about 3-4 weeks after surgery. It really depends on if your incisions are healed or not. If they are not all the way healed I would avoid soaking them or getting them wet. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Bord Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago 

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!

Provided all the wounds are healed so that there is no site where bugs can get in to cause infection 4 weeks is the time frame I quote patients. When you stay in the water your fingers and toes absorb water and become crinkly. Same could happen to your scars and it can then become macerated which creates open wound which then become a portal of entry for bugs. It would be a great shame to have that happen and a month seems like relatively doable goal for most women.
Wishing you the best in your journey.
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney 

Before swimming you will need to make sure all wounds are healed and closed. You should be able to start swimming after 3-4 weeks.

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.

In my personal patients I allow swimming after full incision healing. Early is 3 weeks usually 6 weeks. 

The "danger" of swimming is either infection from unclean water or injury from doing too much too soon. Just going into the water is safe from infedtion if the incisions are totally healed (sealed off against germs). The level of exercise you can tolerate will improve as time goes by. Most people could do full gym exercise by 6 weeks, and begin working up to it after about 3.