Undergoing a breast lift procedure, or any cosmetic surgery for that matter, requires a period of recovery that can be completed with minimal discomfort or downtime provided that all necessary measures are taken to promote proper healing of the body. At the Gartner Plastic Surgery and Laser Center located in New Jersey and Manhattan, New York, Dr. Gartner and his medical staff will work alongside you to ensure that you have thorough instructions to guide you during your recovery.
People often wish to return to their normal lifestyles as soon as possible, which may include physical activity like swimming. Those who travel for a New York breast lift may return to a beachside location, eager to show off their new look. An exercise such as swimming is a wonderful way to build major muscle groups and avoid muscle atrophy, however, before jumping into a pool or running into the ocean for a swim, there are certain precautions that need to be taken to avoid complications and to achieve the best, possible results from your breast lift procedure.
Recovery can vary from patient to patient, so it is important to speak with our medical team before resuming any physical activities. Regarding swimming, we generally recommend that it is safe to swim after four weeks. This allows sufficient time for incisions to be completely closed and no longer at risk from bacteria in the water. For those who experience slower healing, this period may be longer. When given the clearance to swim after a breast lift surgery, these are the two major concerns that should be considered.
THE EFFECT OF WATER ON INCISIONS, POSSIBLE INFECTIONS & SCARRING
Before submersion into water, the incision sites from the breast lift surgery should have been given enough time to heal sufficiently. The wounds should be closed with no scabs present, so that infection from bacteria and microorganisms in the water no longer poses a risk. This is also true for baths and hot tubs since dirty water can lead to infection. Incision healing typically takes about three to four weeks.
Although scars are inevitable after breast lift surgeries, entering water too soon can delay wound healing in incisions that have not quite closed, and lead to pronounced scars.
EXCESSIVE STRETCHING OF SKIN OR OVEREXERTION OF MUSCLES
This is a concern that is not related to bacteria in the water but the physical strain of swimming. Seeing as where you are in the recovery process, you may be limited to the type of activities that can be performed while in the water.
Swimming is an activity that can mean many different things to people. Some enjoy hanging around in the water and maybe taking a few gentle laps. If this is your definition of swimming, then you can certainly resume this activity within a month however, if the definition of swimming is intensive exercise with swimming strokes and advanced forms, you may need to wait a bit longer until nerves have healed and no inflammation is present so that you feel comfortable.
If you have any questions regarding the timeline of when you can swim or do other activities, please feel free to contact our medical team in New York at the Gartner Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. We are here to support you during your journey to a new and improved you.