Swimming after mastectomy/reconstruction

[YelramBob]

I haven't swum for over two years now, had a series of ops which were unsuccessful disastrous and I've lost all my confidence getting into the water.

I'm worried about pain/discomfort even though I'm healed now 🫠 I've got an implant on one side (nothing on the other) and scared that it might slip or move when I swim.

Has anyone done this?

Do you have a mastectomy swimsuit? I had a mastectomy on some side - never bothered with the reconstruction. I’ve been to waterparks with my kids - on massive slides, gushing water- no issues whatsoever - i wasnt even worried or thinking about it.

is it the implant you.l are worried about?

Hi both - fellow mastectomy person here! I had an implant which got infected, and then had to be removed (no time to wait to see if it could be redone as I had to move on to chemo), so now am flat on one side.
I have a swimsuit with a space for a prosthesis, and have a water/exercise-friendly prosthesis (as well as my normal one). This all works well - as far as I can tell all looks normal with the suit on (in case this is one of your worries). I swim! My scars etc do not hurt when I do this. At first I got some sort of stretching feelings, but I reckon that the stretching was probably good, and I don't really notice it any more.
I don't know though about an implant (from a reconstruction) moving about... is this a possibility? Sounds like something to check with your surgeon or breast care nurses?

I'm not worried about the aesthetics, it's the stretching feeling I'm scared of 😵

I don't think the implant will move (it's under the muscle). I run and do weight training and it's still in place, logic tells me that all the Hollywood actresses have them and they're fine 😅

However last year when I still had an expander in place, I swam for two minutes in the hotel pool and it definitely moved 😑

Can you start with using a float and just doing kick to build up confidence in how it’ll feel at the time and the day after. Start with doing all kick but one length of arms and next time do more and build it up at a pace you’re comfortable with?

I think I'll have to do something like that.

I used to swim for an hour in the sea four times a week but lost my confidence now 😔

First time back will be hardest til you get in the pool. Then I’m absolutely sure it’ll be enjoyable and great for you 💪