If you’re like the majority of the 20,000 women every year who opt for breast augmentation, you probably can’t wait for temperatures to warm up so that you can hit the beach or get in the pool. And why not? After all, when you look your best, it’s only natural to want to get out and have some fun, and there aren’t many things more enjoyable than a day at the pool with friends. 

However, it’s important to remember that increasing the size of your breasts is a surgical procedure. Like any surgical procedure, your body needs time to recover before returning to your normal activities. Whether you’re engaging in vigorous swimming or simply getting in the water and talking, you can expect to need between four and six weeks after your breast augmentation before you’re ready to begin swimming again.

Why Such a Long Wait?

If you’re a regular swimmer who gets in the pool for exercise, it might not surprise you to find out that you’re going to need four to six weeks to recover from breast surgery to get back to swimming. Swimming is a significant workout for your body, and if you try to push yourself before your body is ready, your body will push back unpleasantly. Any athlete who has tried to rush back after an injury knows that pushing your body to get back before it’s had time to heal is asking for trouble, so waiting makes perfect sense for those who swim for exercise.

With breast augmentation, that’s even more important because swimming involves your chest muscles, meaning that you could accidentally cause a tear in your muscles.

But even if you’re the kind of person who likes just to stand around and talk while you’re in the water, you’re going to need to wait before getting back in the water. That’s because the water is full of microbes and bacteria, especially if you’re going to the beach. These tiny organisms can find their way into your healing wounds from your surgery if you don’t allow them to heal, which can lead to infections and other problems during your body’s healing process.

Because of the worry of microbes entering your body through your wounds, it’s best to simply avoid the water until your body has had enough of a chance to heal. That means it’s usually best just to watch others enjoy the pool or beach while you make sure you’re still nearby so you can make conversation with friends and family. If you must get in the water, only go up to your waist and ask others not to splash water in your direction. As long as you keep the top half of your body from being submerged, your risk of infection after breast augmentation is negligible.

Can I Swim Like Normal After Recovery?

For the most part, yes, you’ll be able to swim the way you did before your surgery. Swimming after breast augmentation might require a few adjustments as you get used to having bigger breasts than you previously had while in the water. Still, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of swimming precisely the way you did before your surgery. However, you’ll only be able to swim the way you want if you allow your body ample time to recover and become stronger on its own.

One adjustment you will have to make at first after recovery is using good-quality sunscreen on your breasts and, specifically, your incisions. During the healing process, your incisions can be very sensitive to sunlight, and spending a lot of time in the sun can be a real problem for the incision parts of your breasts. Before going out in an area where you know that your breasts will be at least partially exposed to the elements, be sure you’ve used a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30 to give these areas the protection they require.

How Can I Prepare My Body for Swimming After Breast Augmentation?

One of the best things you can do for your body is to make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. If you’re not taking the time to rest and recover after your breast augmentation surgery, you’ll make yourself far more tired and less likely to heal properly. Remember, not only are you undergoing actual surgery here, but you’re doing so in an area that needs to be at its best for strenuous exercise, which means you’re going to need to get your rest so that you can heal.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re wearing a soft, comfortable bra as often as you need to wear one. Now is not the time to worry about looks because underwire bras can be a nightmare when they come in contact with your skin after you’ve had surgery. The best thing to do is choose a sports bra that you know fits you well and feels incredibly comfortable. Once your incisions start to heal and you’re ready to consider swimming again, you can start wearing a bikini without worrying about ripping open or irritating the marks of your incisions.

Finally, you’ll want to pat dry any part of your breast that gets wet around the pool, as any water gives microbes the chance to cause an infection if you don’t dry the area promptly.

Make sure you check out our guide and checklist for breast surgery recovery for other helpful tips.

Getting Back in The Water

Remember, taking care of your body after surgery is the first and most crucial step to getting back to normal activities after you’ve recovered from going under the knife. If you take care to think about your body and don’t rush yourself, you’ll be ready to get in the pool when the temperatures start to heat up. If you’re ready to consider breast augmentation, we are here to help you schedule surgery and guide you through the recovery process. Contact us today to get information!