Clearance to bathe/swim

We have a lovely outdoor hot tub, and I am really missing it and my nightly dip with my DH. I know floating around in the warm water would feel terrific, but I am not sure how long I am supposed to wait (after TAH). It will be 3 weeks for me this Wednesday.

Did anyone specifically ask about bathing or swimming and what were you told?

My steristrips are still holding on, but the incision underneath looks fully closed up.

I wouldn't attempt anything until after the six week check and get the 'green light' from the surgeon.

Hey MrsBunn....I'm 5 weeks out TAH and have not been cleared yet to swim although my family has been bugging me to get in the pool. I go for my 6 week check up this coming Thursday...if I get the green light....I'm jumping...okay, not jumping in really...going down the ladder...getting in the pool and probably not coming out for several days........I've been looking at the pool for weeks and it is stinkin hot here in GA . You could call your doctors office if you are not yet due for an appt...they may give you the go ahead...but I've seen other remarks and looks like the 6 week is a good clearance for many things....

my doctor said no submerging for two weeks..... check with your doctor about any question you have. I called my doc with anything I had doubt about. Thats what they are there for. It doesnt end in the Oper. Room with them.

Be very careful with hot tubs and pools....most people do NOT have the chemicals adjusted right and you could get something very nasty from them. The hot tub especially.

LL

I was given the OK to float the river at my 2 week post-op (TVH) which I thought was interesting. However, I was expressly told NO PUBLIC POOLS and NO HOT TUBS until my 6 week check verified I was healed up properly. Agree with LisaLouey on the chemicals. I wouldn't risk it.

Definitely check with your doctor about this. My surgeon let me get in at 2 1/2 weeks, but she had originally said 6 weeks. I had 2 knee replacements in the past year, and the pain from the hyst kept me from standing or walking more than a few minutes. My knees were getting wobbly from lack of exercise and I asked her if I could get in our pool for gentle water walking, because I felt that the support of the water would ease the pain.

The surgeon agreed, but she was insistent that I do it only for short periods at a time. She said that longer soaking could cause the incision to soften up and get infected. I've been going in for 15 minutes at a time (up to an hour total a day) with an inner tube around my waist to keep me from losing my balance and doing any sudden twists. I dry off carefully after each session, even using a hair dryer on the incision. So far, so good. The knees are strong again. I'd love to use our hot tub, too, but I'm saving my water time for exercise.

We are putting in a pool now. It should be done by Aug 20th. My doctor said no getting in until after 4 week appt. He said it may be 6 weeks before it is ok. It's better to be safe. Hugs to all Sister, Tina

agreeing with the rest...you need to ask your doctor what his "rules" are regarding submerging the incision.

My doctor said nothing until 6 weeks.