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Swimming?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Stella07970
Stella07970

Hi All I am 26 days post op and all seems to be going fine. My concerns are about staying fit and avoiding weight gain. I live on my own and have been very lucky to have friends to bring ready cooked meals etc but because of this I am eating much more than I usually would and a lot less of my usual food... as a result I'm feeling loke a total blob stuck on the sofa. Does anyone know if swimming would be ok once I am allowed to take the six week shoe off? Or any ideas about exercises I could do now?

2 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • star1456
    star1456 Stella07970

    Posted

    Hi Stella

    My Dr told me I could se

    • star1456
      star1456

      Posted

      Sorry pressed the wrong button. Ad I was saying I was allowed to swim after the fourth week and cycling after the sixth week . Swimming is non weigh bearing so you should be ok, but ask your Dr anyway.

      Good luck

    • Stella07970
      Stella07970 star1456

      Posted

      Thanks Star I will start looking for a pool and then book in after my 6 week check : )

       

  • sue84239
    sue84239 Stella07970

    Posted

    Swimming is fine once wound has healed.  The side of the pool may feel very hard underfoot though so wear crocs or something if I was you.  It will feel a bit where'd too with water swooshing around in between toes!

    i am cycling too as you don't have to bend the foot much but good for leg strength etc.

    good luck

    • Stella07970
      Stella07970 sue84239

      Posted

      Thanks Sue - good tip about the Crocs was wondering how I can get from the changing room to the pool... might wait til 6 weeks so the bones are a bit more fused together. I feel a bit too scared to cycle in case I need to put mu foot down quickly...
    • sue84239
      sue84239 Stella07970

      Posted

      Yes I know what you mean about putting foot down. I didn't do it until about 7-8 weeks post op. You feel stronger each week so listen to your body.

      😉

  • julie.c
    julie.c Stella07970

    Posted

    I am 4 weeks post op and heading for my first swim tomorrow. I cleared it with my Consultant who said it was fine so long at the wounds had closed. I will be wearing my shoe to the edge of the pool, as I am only heel weight bearing. The only thing I am wondering about is how I get out the pool without putting weight on the front of my foot..,.
    • Stella07970
      Stella07970 julie.c

      Posted

      Yes thats my worry too - also it could be easy to accidently push off with the wrong part of your foot at the the start of a new length...or if you touch the bottom...wish there was a special swimming shoe I could wear!
  • barbara00055
    barbara00055 Stella07970

    Posted

    So how has the swimming gone? I'm five weeks and still have a scab on part of the wound near the bunion.  So will probably have to wait for that to go before I swim, but I so look forward to the freedom of the water.  Though was wondering if pushing the water with op foot might be a little painful? 

    I've biught one of these armchair pedals!  Not arrived yet, but it's supposed to be a safe way of exercising the ankles.  I'll put on here how it goes.  Have you cycled, I'd be too scared to go out in the road just yet!

    • Stella07970
      Stella07970 barbara00055

      Posted

      Hi Barabra I think I'm about the same time as you - had op on 1st April so now just over 5 weeks. I decided to wait til 6 week check before venturing to the swimming pool - don't want to do anything to slow down the process, sowill let you know how I;m going after I have 6 week xrays on Tuesday 12th. Hope you are okay and not finding the sitting around too much -- I was getting really fed up as I live alone so I plucked up courage and put a message on Facebook that I needed help, visits and support from friends and have been inundated! Everyone thought I was fine because I didn't say different!
  • julie.c
    julie.c Stella07970

    Posted

    I had my first swim at 4 weeks - no problems. I couldn't kick as hard as normal but your body will tell you. It felt great to be in the water and it was good to be able to do something aerobic. I just pushed off with my other foot, or did a gentle turn instead. I was very conscious of my foot and there was no risk of me accidentally doing something I shouldn't! I did my usual 1000 metres with no after effects. I had my 6 week X-ray today - all exactly as it should be :-) Hope that gives you confidence- my surgeon fully supported swimming as long as the wounds were fully closed. Good luck!
  • barbara00055
    barbara00055 Stella07970

    Posted

    Yes Stella we are same time.  I can't swim yet as the scab over the bunion area about 2cms is still deep.  I love swimming and so look forward to returning, however I have another barrier, local swimming pools don't have walk in steps, I couldn't climb the side steps/ladder of the pool.  I'll have to find further away pools.

    I expected to have my X-ray consultation at 6 weeks, but thats not happening until 9 weeks after op!  All my consultant apps have been different to others, I guess it's about when the hospital can fit you in.

    great that your friends are helping out, I don't know what I would have done without my husbands support, he has been wonderful.

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