Can You Swim After Breast Cancer Surgery?

It is not uncommon to have questions about what recreational activities are safe after undergoing breast cancer surgery. One popular activity many people consider is swimming. However, understanding the impact of a mastectomy on the body and whether swimming is recommended are two important things to think about.  

After breast cancer surgery, it may be unclear if an individual can continue performing this active hobby. It is essential to consider changes in physicality following a significant medical procedure, and to ensure that any exercise program is approved by your doctor before engaging. That being said, swimming can be one of the best low-impact exercises for individuals looking to return to physical activities following a mastectomy.

With proper clearance from your post-care medical team, swimming after surgery can be a great tool in your healing and recovery journey. 

Things to Consider When Swimming After a Mastectomy

There are several factors to consider when determining if an activity like swimming is appropriate and safe after surgery, these can include: 

• Incision heal time 
• Range of motion  
• Swelling  

Your medical team will be able to look at how well your scar is healing, if your range of motion is improving and if there’s any swelling, so it’s best to speak to them first. Furthermore, the type of surgery and how recent the procedure was can also affect how soon you can get in the pool. 

It’s possible that you’ll need to wait a few weeks or sometimes months after undergoing breast cancer surgery before taking an invigorating dip in the pool, and advice for each person varies on their individual situation. When your doctor does confirm that swimming is helpful, you may need to take some time to adjust. But, with determination and caution, it is certainly possible to get back in the pool! 

Read here for more information on swimming after a mastectomy.