When Can I Swim After Breast Reduction

When Can I Swim After Breast Reduction? You should wait until your bandages are off and only then you can go swimming. It’s important that water does not get in the incisions. If you have any cuts or scratches on your chest, then you probably shouldn’t go swimming because there is more chance of infection. Also, avoid salt water as it may increase chances of infection.

In this guide, we find out When Can I Swim After Breast Reduction, how long after breast reduction can i go to the beach, How long after surgery can I swim, and how long after breast reduction can i fly.

Swimming after breast reduction is a great way to exercise, but you need to be careful if you’ve had surgery. Follow these guidelines to make sure your recovery is as easy as possible.

After surgery

After surgery, you will be in the hospital for about 24 hours. After that, you’ll be able to shower and start taking baths the next day.

It’s important to wait at least a week before going swimming after breast reduction surgery. This is so your incisions have time to heal properly and reduce the risk of infection or complications like hematomas (a collection of blood under the skin).

Activity restrictions

There are a number of restrictions you’ll need to follow after your surgery, but the most important thing to remember is that there will be limits on the kinds of physical activity you can participate in. These restrictions will vary depending on your individual circumstances and level of pain, but here are some general guidelines:

  • You should avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks after surgery.
  • While you’re healing, it’s also best if you don’t drive or operate machinery (like lawnmowers).
  • While many people return to work within one week of breast reduction surgery, others may take up to six weeks off. If this sounds like it might apply to you, make sure your workplace has some flexibility built into their policies regarding time off from work so that it doesn’t negatively impact your career or financial stability.

Incision care

  • Keep the incisions clean and dry. Do not rub them, expose them to sunlight or let them get wet for at least two weeks after surgery.
  • Do not apply ointments, lotions or sprays to your incisions.
  • Avoid applying pressure directly to the incisions for at least one week after surgery (such as leaning on an arm with a brace).

how long after breast reduction can i go to the beach

After your breast augmentation, you might be wondering when you can return to various everyday activities. I receive many questions about travel, exercise, and sleeping after breast augmentation from my Scottsdale-area patients. In order to create the best possible results, you need to take care of your body after surgery. Giving yourself proper time to heal is always worth the effort.

Most plastic surgeons have their own preferences and timelines for patient recovery, but a few general guidelines apply across the board. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the common activities patients ask about following breast augmentation surgery.

Sleeping

After breast augmentation surgery, be sure to sleep on your back to reduce swelling. You can also use pillows to keep your body elevated and sit up a bit higher in bed. These posture changes enhance circulation and keep you feeling as comfortable as possible.

If you’re not a natural back sleeper, you can “teach” yourself by placing pillows on either side of your body to prevent yourself from rolling over. You can also help support your legs by placing a small pillow or rolled-up towel underneath your knees.

Swimming

You can safely get back in the water around 3 to 4 weeks after breast augmentation. Although many patients feel swimsuit ready a bit earlier, it’s important to give your skin tissue the proper time to heal and regain water resistance.

After swimming, pat yourself dry so that your incisions can avoid staying wet. Quickly change out of any damp clothes once you’re back on dry land. Only going waist-deep in the pool is also a great compromise, so you can enjoy time with friends and family without affecting your surgery results.

Exercising

Easy movement, such as walking, is very beneficial to healing after breast augmentation. More intensive exercises—like running or weight lifting—should wait until the 6- to 8-week mark. Swimming laps or treading water should only be attempted about 2 months after the procedure.

Be sure to wear a supportive sports bra when engaging in any vigorous activity. This support helps reduce movement and allows you to feel more comfortable while working out.

Flying

Wait at least a week after breast augmentation surgery before flying so you don’t experience any unexpected complications while you’re mid-flight. Don’t lift or pull any heavy luggage either. You should keep your body as relaxed as possible during recovery, and flying can be an emotional and physical stressor.

When you are cleared to travel by air, take short walks up and down the plane aisles to encourage blood flow and prevent clotting. Have your surgeon’s phone number on hand, and be sure to follow any recovery instructions you’ve been provided.

How long after surgery can I swim

A common goal among my Las Vegas cosmetic surgery patients is to look and feel more confident in a swimsuit. Naturally, these patients want to get back to the pool as soon as possible—particularly with the hot weather we’ve been experiencing here in Vegas. However, swimming too soon after cosmetic surgery can put your health and results at risk.

Why it’s worth the wait

You probably know that you have to take time off of exercise after surgery, and swimming is no exception. In fact, swimming is typically off-limits a little longer than other activities. Bodies of water including oceans, lakes, pools, and hot tubs—even those treated with chlorine—are home to trillions of microorganisms. While this is normally nothing to worry about for a healthy person, jumping in the water too soon after surgery poses an unnecessary risk of infection to your incision sites. Plus, swimming too soon after cosmetic surgery can strain your incision sites and cause scars to stretch, contributing to a poor scar appearance down the road.

When it is safe to get in the water after cosmetic surgery depends on the procedure you are having, how active you are in the pool, and your individual healing rate. To get an idea of when you might be pool-ready after surgery, take a moment to review what I typically require after the following popular procedures:

Breast augmentation

After breast augmentation, most patients cannot wait to show off their new curves in a brand new swimsuit. While you’ll be looking and feeling great shortly into your breast augmentation recovery time, bodies of water present an elevated risk of infection to your incision sites. While showering is okay just 24 hours after your procedure, you should not submerge your incisions for about four weeks after surgery

Bodies of water present an elevated risk of infection to your incision sites.

How soon you are allowed to swim also depends on how you want to spend your time at the pool—will you be swimming laps or just dipping your toes in the water? Even after you are allowed to take a quick dip in the pool, your chest muscles may need up to six weeks to recover before undertaking vigorous activity like swimming. Check with your doctor to get the all-clear!

Body contouring

Body contouring covers a wide range of procedures, so when it is safe to swim depends heavily on what was done. Liposuction patients can usually get back into the pool several weeks after surgery with their cosmetic surgeon’s approval. However, it is imperative that the incisions have healed completely and that you do not engage in strenuous exercise like lap swimming for at least three weeks.

If you are having a tummy tuck, expect to wait about two months before getting back in the water. A tummy tuck is a complex procedure—incisions are made well below the skin’s surface, and internal sutures are placed in several layers. These take time to heal completely and even after your scars start looking good on the surface, the risk for infection remains for several weeks afterward.

Rhinoplasty & facial surgery

Since facial surgery incisions are above the head, you can get back into the water a little sooner than with body procedures. Baths or a cooling soak in the pool are typically permitted after two weeks; just keep your head above water to protect your incisions.

You have to be especially careful with swimming after rhinoplasty. In addition to keeping your incisions safe from infection, you also need to protect your nose from bumps and excessive force. That means no diving, water volleyball, or water slides are allowed for a minimum of six weeks. When you are cleared to resume swimming, you may have to do so without goggles for awhile, as goggles can place too much pressure on the nasal bridge.

how long after breast reduction can i fly

You have beautiful new breasts and are anxious to show off your new look in a bikini or low-cut dress. But before you go booking that lavish beach vacation, there are a few things to consider. Namely, flying after your breast augmentation.

While changes in cabin pressure won’t affect the implants, flying immediately after your procedure can increase your risk of post-surgical complications.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Recommendations

Every cosmetic surgeon has their own protocols for flying after breast augmentation. However, the standard guidelines recommend that you wait to fly until you are at least one-week post-op. The first week of breast augmentation recovery is when most complications occur.

While flying itself is not a problem, the idea of traveling and being confined in a plane can open you up to complications. For example, carrying heavy luggage can contribute to bleeding, while sitting for a long flight can increase your risk of blood clots. When it comes to flying, talk with your surgeon and follow their recommendations before you book your ticket.

Flying immediately, or even a week after breast augmentation, can put you at risk of post-surgical complications.

Flying immediately, or even a week after breast augmentation, can put you at risk of post-surgical complications.

Tips for Safer Flying after Surgery

In addition to waiting a week or more, there are some tips that can help reduce your risk of complications and increase your comfort when flying after breast augmentation. Consider these suggestions if you are flying soon after your breast augmentation:

For more information about breast augmentation or discuss your travel plans before surgery, contact Hamilton Surgical Arts today.