Swimming After a Masetcomy
Swimming after a mastectomy? But I won’t be Balanced!
Fear Not. The answer is a silicone swim prosthesis and yes, they work perfectly well.
Swimming is highly recommended by doctors and surgeons as one of the very best forms of exercise post-surgery. In most cases, swimming can begin 6-8 weeks after your surgery. While you have some down-time post surgery you’ll be able to research your local pool schedules and make some plans to start your water therapy!
You’ll also want to find a prosthetic fitting shop that has a nice selection of prosthetic swim wear. These specialized suits have pockets (or openings) in both sides of the breast area to allow a swim prosthesis to fit nicely in place. Typically, prosthetic bathing suits have a higher neckline to allow for more support in the breast area for a swim prosthesis. Also, a slightly higher neckline will help to cover any scarring or skin irritation from surgery or radiation.
Now…the swim prosthesis. It IS different from a typical prosthesis in that it is considerably lighter weight (I know, you were wondering about that!) and it has some funky wavy contours on the back that allows water to pass under it freely for easy movement and flow. As well, this contouring will allow the prosthesis not to suction upon the body when you exit the pool.
At My Top Drawer we recommend the Amoena Aqua Wave form. We sell quite a number of them and our clients tell us that they are terrific. It gives them the confidence of having symmetry when they are in their bathing suit. Let's face it, confidence is a key factor when we are in a bathing suit. Add in to this the concerns post mastectomy patients would have regarding symmetry, and it makes the decision to wear a bathing suit even more concerning. But…You are a RockStar and you will overcome this hurdle.
The manufacturer suggests that Swim Prosthesis can be left in the pocket after you wear it. But, as you know, since I’m a firm believer of rinsing your swim suit after EVERY wear (in Forever New Swim wash to get all of the Chlorine or Salt out of the fabric!) you might as well take the swim form out and pat it dry at the same time. This rinse will save the evil chlorine from chewing away at your bathing suit! A water resistant carrying bag is provided with the purchase of the form so that you can toss your damp suit and prosthesis into it when you leave the pool area.
And, because I know you are curious…these forms from Amoena are approximately $125 each and are not covered by the ODSP program in Ontario. However, several private health coverage companies do cover the cost as exercise is part of your recovery. The Aqua Wave form from Amoena comes in a variety of sizes and again…it is symmetrical so that it can fit into the swimsuit’s pocket properly.
That’s enough for today! Okay….Now, Everybody into the Pool!!!