Is swimming a good cardio to maintain/decrease weight while preparing for knee surgery?

I'm a dancer/dance teacher & I have to have knee surgery in 3.5 weeks to repair my meniscus from an acute injury last week. I just went swimming and didn't kick with the injured leg. It's a bit sore but I can manage. I don't want to gain weight (I typically work out at the gym 4 or more days per week, biking, elliptical, occasionally treadmill) on top of teaching dance 4 days per week- so this immobility is killing me!

So is swimming a good thing to do in the interim? If so, any suggestions as to how often, for how long, what kind, and caloric burn?

Doodle773 - Swimming is a great cardio exercise, especially for taking the stress off joints like your bum knee. Just treat it as you would any other. Duration, heart rate, etc.

Be aware, though, that some studies and experts have indicated that swimming seems to make it harder to burn fat than you'd get with other cardio exercises. They suspect it has something to do with the cold temperature of the water.

It may be that you have to decrease your caloric intake to adjust for your inability to exercise quite as hard and as often as you're used to. At least in order to prevent weight gain.

Swimming is great. It is low impact and good exercise. Good luck on your surgery.

Absolutly! Swimming is amazing for you. I swim for about half an hour to an hour every other morning.