Swimming after finally achieving the physical body you’ve always envisioned can be a highly anticipated milestone after top surgery. Once fully healed, those who have faced embarrassment, self-consciousness, depression and anxiety due to their appearance not matching their authentic selves often feel a sense of liberation their first time swimming after surgery.
While this moment can be remarkably freeing, psychologically and emotionally, it takes some time for patients to safely and successfully enjoy water activities after MTF, FTM or FTN top surgery without compromising their results. The specific period of time that there are limitations depends on the specific gender-affirming top surgery procedure performed and each person’s unique situation, including their healing progress, underlying medical issues and post-operative compliance.
In general, swimming without limitations can be resumed roughly three months after your procedure. However, you should check with Dr. Turkeltaub (or your own plastic surgeon) to get a specific timeline based on your situation.
First Month Post-Op
For all gender-affirming top surgery procedures — FTM, FTN and MTF — it is strongly advised against going in a pool for at least the first month after surgery. Depending on the specific procedure, violating this can lead to infection, loss of the free nipple grafts, wound separation, bleeding, fluid accumulation, wide scars and more. You may even need to undergo additional surgery to correct an otherwise avoidable complication.
Second Month Post-Op
For MTF and specific FTM and FTN top surgery procedures, submerging yourself in a clean and properly chlorinated pool is usually safe between six and eight weeks after surgery provided that all the incisions are fully closed and there are no scabs, open wounds or drainage. This applies to the keyhole incision, periareolar (concentric circle) incision and mastectomy without the free nipple graft techniques. Of course, you should first get approval from your plastic surgeon.
Third Month Post-Op
Provided that all incisions have healed well without open wounds or scabs, there are no restrictions regarding submersion in water — pools, lakes and the ocean — for all FTM, FTN and MTF procedures. There generally are also no restrictions regarding swimming of any type for those individuals who have had MTF, FTM or FTN top surgery procedures EXCEPT those who have undergone the bilateral mastectomy with or without a free nipple graft.
After 90 Days Post-Op
Except for the rare exception, there are no swimming restrictions whatsoever after 90 days post-op. This includes all water activities, such as doing laps, using jet-skis, fishing and boating.
Dr. Steven Turkeltaub: Scottsdale Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and WPATH Member
- Longtime member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
- Plastic surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
- Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- Member of The Aesthetic Society
- Member of the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Over 39 years of experience in private practice in Scottsdale and Phoenix
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with almost 40 years of experience and an active member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), Dr. Turkeltaub has invaluable knowledge in all aspects of gender-affirming surgery. He is widely regarded as a leading provider of transgender top surgery in Arizona and beyond and has achieved truly transformative, life-changing outcomes for individuals who choose to pursue FTM, FTN or MTF procedures.
The decision to align your physical body with your gender identity can feel daunting, but it helps to discuss your hopes, goals, and wishes for the outcome with a highly experienced, compassionate plastic surgeon.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today for a transparent, informative and non-judgmental consult.
