I had a mole removed earlier this week, and I'm trying to figure out how long until I can go back to swimming. The doctor said to wait two days before showering, and then after that not to scrub at it. I keep forgetting to call back and ask how long to wait during normal business hours, and now it's the weekend.
Anyway, since I think mole removal is a fairly common procedure, does anyone know how long I should wait to go back to swimming?
Thanks!
Former Member
I definitely wouldn't go back if there is any sort scabbing or anything like that. If not for your own benefit, then at least for the benefit of others in the pool :)
Former Member
Did you have stitches? One doctor let me swim in an outdoor pool within a few days of having something removed on my back and I had about 3 stitches. Another doctor said no.
I wait until either I'm "water-tight" or it is well scabbed over.
In fact -- I wait at least a day or two after stitches are removed to allow the holes to begin to heal.
"your mileage may vary"
I've had two moles removed from my back with stitches, and one suspect area 'shaved' off with no stitches. For the skin shave, doctor told me to wait a day for a little healing, but it was no big deal. For the ones with stitches, I was told to keep a watertight bandage over the wound for 2 weeks until the stitches came out. For the stitches in the back, the biggest thing they were concerned with was pulling the stitches apart by swimming, not so much the infection. Too much movement would make for a bigger scar.
Be sure to keep treating the wound area with antibiotic ointment, and keep it cleaned, etc. That's the most important part.
-Rick
Had a mole removed with 1-2 stitches and had to sit out about a week.
Have you called your doctor?
Former Member
It all depends on how deep the incision is. We tell our patients to wait 10 days before they bathe (swim).
Your Doctor should have a 24hr on call MD. Why don't you call them to be 100% certain. The last thing you want to do is get an infectiona dn then be out for more than 10 days.
Again, it all depends on the depth of the incision.
