Sue: Swimming post-myo

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In a message dated 3/27/2004 9:48:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,

suepollini@... writes:

I'd like to go swimming but

I'm wondering if it might be a bit early just yet. I would appreciate

some advice from any post-op experts.

Sue:

I am a former competitive swimmer, and I continue to rely upon swimming laps

as my main fitness activity-- even now, well into my dotage.

As for advice from my doctor after my surgery:

Well, during my one and only RUSHED follow-up post-myo visit, when I asked

specifically about SWIMMING , my very uncommunicative, breath-saving,

tightlipped aloof, gyno-of-few-words DID clarify one piece of information.

I could resume swim at the four-week point, unless I intended to do it

" vigorously, " in which case I should wait until the six-week point.

Well, I didn't want to go to all the way to the pool-- just to tread water

and float listlessly on my back--so, I waited until the six week point.

But not before going out and buying a brand-new Speedo racing suit. I

actually bought it to mark the beginning of a new era.

I happily discovered that my lycra/spandex suit felt just terrific on my

tender recuperating (still somewhat swollen) post-surgical belly. Those 2

ounces

of fabric felt even better than complete nakedness, because the suit had a

gentle, but very pleasant-feeling support. AND it even helped smooth down,

actually minimize the appearance of some of the remaining swelling.

In time, I was feeling so good in the pool.......just churning blissfully

through the chlorinated water, that I started to have well.......kinda

psychotic delusions of becoming the first 40-something Olympian butterflyer in

US

history. Making a mid-life comeback.

Yeah, right.

I think it was Marsha Weaver here who gently reminded me to take it a bit

easy on the workouts.

Oh, and I think it was Pat Boersma here who reminded me that dentist

chairs and too much monotonous lap swimming can take a wondering/wandering mind,

like mine, to all sorts of unintended places.

Actually, trying to compete along side the high-school aged swim team members

at my swim club cured me definitively of my grandiose delusional thinking

about my swimming potential. Oh, well. There still is Masters Swimming for

those

of us who like the challenge of competition. Maybe a subdivision for us

Perimenopausal Paddlers.

Shattered Olympian fantasies notwithstanding, the benefits of swimming are

many. As you probably know, swimming tones all of your large muscle groups, it's

a great cardiovascular work-out.

It's a powerful " de-stresser. " In many ways, it's really the perfect

exercise.

Needless to say, Sue, when you first return to the pool-remember you'll be

deconditioned--so take it easy---SLOW BUT STEADY. Plan to do as much as you can

tolerate and ramp up the yardage.....er, I mean meters....slowly. Maybe go

every other day in the beginning. Get horizontal after workouts if you get too

tired.

But take it from an old broad like me with arthritis in my spine and an

assortment of other ailments, swimming can do you a world of good!

And for all of you fibroidians, and pregnant gals--check with your doctor

first , but do seriously consider swimming for fitness. Swimming, like yoga has

such great health payoffs with practically no risks--to you, the fetus, or the

fibroids!

So, Sue, and all you swimmers out there, take your mark....and go!!!!

Sincerely,

" Coach Roma "