Question:
How long until you can do laps in a pool?

I've looked in the database and I've found all sorts of stuff on aerobics and walking in the water and just splashing around, but I can't find anything on doing regular laps of all the strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). How long after LAP RNY can you do laps with flipturns and all? How about racers' starts off starting blocks and diving? If I'm going to get in shape along with losing the weight, I'd like to do it the best way I know how, and this is it. Any competetive swimmers out there? How about post-op triathletes? I know this isn't something I should be doing right away, but I'd like to know how long I should wait - 2 months? More?    — Toni C. (posted on October 15, 2002)

October 15, 2002
pools are a breeding ground for bacteria!!! (yes even with the chlorine) i have had 12 surgies (including weight loss) and each time it was made VERY clear to me not to enter a public pool or water source till the incision was completely healed (most doc sugested 3 months!!!!) if your wound apears healed but is not bacteria can breach it at cause all sorts of problems ...so 3 months to even get in the pool ...my docs wouldnt even allow me in the pool at physical thereapy for 3 months!!!
   — bekka K.

October 15, 2002
My doctor gave me the OK to be in the pool at 2 weeks and do whatever I felt up to. My daughter broke her arm, so we didn't actually make it until this week, which is 9 weeks for me, but NO problems with laps and turns!
   — jen41766

October 15, 2002
I couldn't wait to swim after my surgery. My doc told me to wait until the scabs had fallen off, which was around 4-5 weeks post-op. Of course, you should probably see what your doctor says. Good luck.
   — mandajuice

October 15, 2002
Hi, my doctor said whenever I felt up to it. I had lap surgery and started swimming laps at 2 weeks out(took it easy on the turns). I covered my closed incisions with a waterproof bandage just to be on the safe side.
   — Pam W.

October 16, 2002
I had open rny and was back to teaching swim lessons and water exercise classes in less than 3 weeks out. I took it easy at first and am now 4 weeks out and swimming light laps. Our pools chemicals at the YMCA are tested twice daily for ph and other "issues" so if your facility is reputable you should have no "bacteria" problems. GET BACK TO THE POOL you will feel sooo much better!!!
   — Deanna_K

October 16, 2002
My doc said I could swim at my 1wk ckup(LAP RNY). Laps and turns are no problem. And it's much more fun than walking.
   — Debby M.