Anyone give advice when I can go back swimming, 9 weeks post op tomorrow, I had a phone call appointment from Barts last week wanted to ask some questions didn’t get a chance firstly the person who phoned I couldn’t understand them, the lasted 3 minutes, he just said we are passing you back to your GP and the local hospital
Pat
Hey Pat!
So I was advised...
Swimming:
– paddling after 6 weeks
– breast stroke after 10 weeks
– freestyle after 12 weeks
I think I was in the bath at 6 weeks and went in the hot tub at about 8 weeks or so - its mainly about your scars being healed up (no scabs left) - and being gentle because with swimming you are going be putting strain on your sternum. So if you want to go to the pool and have a rigious work out it would be very different to going in and having a float about, just to be in the water. Maybe take some paracetamol before hand just in case?
I still found anything that involved strain on my chest tricky/sore up to 10 weeks.
I hope that this helps 
Also, this may be a little late as you are 9 weeks post op but...
ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...
I found it before my op and the below as a 34 year old made me chuckle...I was almost tempted to buy a set of indoor (not outdoor!!) bowls a fishing rod (PIER ONLY) for my 4th week...I feel that the activities may just be aimed at the slightly older patient...
Stage IV (Approximately 4th week after discharge from the John Radcliffe)
• light weeding, trowelling, pruning
• fishing from a pier, bank or bridge only 
• indoor bowls
• film shows or spectator sports
The handbook the hospital gives you explains the timelines. 12 weeks but gently back in to it
I had a TAVI procedure ( replacing the Aortic valve by keyhole from the groin, just over 12 weeks ago. I am 77 and have been attending a rehab course weekly for 3 weeks. Last week after a good week and observed exercise I asked about swimming. They had a guidance leaflet and gave me the go ahead if I was careful, listened to my body, did a good warm up ( walking in the water and restricted myself to breaststroke and the equivalent on my back.
Now a week later I have been 3 times to our local 25 m one depth pool. And managed well. My first visit was a mixture of 10 walking and 10 swimming lengths and I was then very tired. I notified the young lifeguard who was very supportive and keeps an interest in me.
Obviously only personal non medical observations!
Good luck
PH
thank you very much, that’s made up my mind. Back to the pool on Monday with a little walking to start
Take care
Pat
Hello,do you mind me asking if you had the choice of TAVI or usual proceedure for aortic valve replacement? Looking for advance information.Thank you
sorry I had triple heart bypass in November just gone. There will be lots of kind people on here who will be able to answer any questions they are all so helpful and kind
You take care
Pat
Early on - after first echo and 2 x 24 hour monitors I had a general discussion with the Cardiologist ( Who I later learnt had a lot of TAVI experience). At that time my knowledge was minimal but I was attracted to TAVI by the shorter recovery period.
I had probably an exceptional path through Pacemaker and TAVI and my experience was superb.
Maybe that gives me a very Rosy opinion - But first class
PH
Did you have the choice of TaVI or ordinary,or was it surgeons decision? Xx
After my first discussion and multiple echos , a cardio angiogram and a scan an operation was projected 2 to 3 years away with 6 monthly check ups. As I was under 80 I understood a TAVI was unlikely to be offered. Even though it was my preference. On the end it was one year. I had researched this on line ! ( I know you will probably think that was unwise) and when a TAVI option was available I was very grateful for it.
I am sorry if my replies do not satisfy you - you have asked the same question twice. I cannot provide you with more information based on my limited experience. I am not a medic you should go to your cardio team for more information
PH
Pat, swimming needs 'special' attention, I was given a sheet by the cardio physio when I said I intended to start swimming again.
You have to be careful when entering the water, I did copy some of the advice on an earlier page on here, I'll see if I can find it.
This is the info I posted copied from the leaflet:
Your heart works harder when you are immersed in the water because more blood is returning to the heart. As you begin to move the work of the heart increases further.
The deeper you are in water the greater the effects e.g. being in water up to your neck has a greater effect than to your waist.
I was advised to enter the water from the shallow end and slowly work my way up.
After open heart surgery wait at least 12 weeks to allow for good healing of the breast bone.
You should always discuss going swimming with a member of your cardiac rehab team, I guess your GP if you don't do Cardiac rehab.
If you have had a pacemaker or ICD you should wait for the device to heal and then be careful what swimming stroke you use, breast stroke is suitable for all devices while other strokes could be potentially dangerous.
You should warm up and down the same as all exercises including entering and exiting via the shallow end.
There are a few other things but mainly, slowly does it, don't hold your breath and don't put your head underwater, avoid extreme temperatures 26c to 33c are best for your heart.
Hi E16Pat ,
Thanks for being here on HealthUnlocked.
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Many thanks
Wild swimming with arrhythmias... 
swimming the English channel
Open water swimming 
Swimming for Cardiac Health
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