Question about bathing and swimming.

[Robb Wilder]

How long do you have to wait after the surgery to get in a full bath or swim in a pool?

 

[Lynlw]

Its usually about 4-6 weeks to go into a pool, ( not necessarily swim) or bath, after all your incisions are completely healed, but different docs say slightly different things of course.
If you do a search here a few threads come up to give an idea what different people were told. here is one http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34037-Swimming&highlight=swimming
that thread has a good link, that might answr alot of the questions you have http://www.heartsurgeons.com/ed5.html
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Many questions arise as to what you should do or should not do after discharge. The following are answers to the most common concerns and questions.

 

[ks1490]

I am an active lap swimmer and my surgeon has told me to wait approx. 2.25 months to go back in the pool. Despite how good I feel, they don't want the first time that I really test my range of motion to be in a pool.

 

[malibu82]

i was told 3 months!

 

[Lynlw]

i was told 3 months!

To get in the bath tub (not just shower) or swim, or both?

 

[Jkm7]

I was told to not get in a tub for 8 weeks at least..... not until all incisions are fully healed.

Only showers were permitted.

 

[james]

It will all depend on how fast you heal. I was in the water at 3 months.

 

[Gnusgal]

I honestly don't remember. How sad is that. :rolleyes2:

 

[Superbob]

Like Niki, I don't remember exactly. But I remember my surgeon and his office gave me a detailed list of do's and don't for the first few months. I think most surgeons do. I think it was anywhere from 2 to 3 months before I could take a hot, soaking bath (for reasons of protecting the incisions). Of course, showers were fine.

 

[sweetbanker]

Doc said I could go into the pool last week 6 weeks , all chest tube sites were healed.