if you need any swimming tips let me know I just swam 3300 yards in under an hour. I swim 5/6 days a week. All Masters workouts either in a group or I just do the workouts by myself. Glad to hear you are seeing a doc.
4 years ago when I got back into swimming I couldnt swim 5 laps. Just start out very very slowly maybe take a lesson or two. UNLV has a pool,they are supposed to be buiding a new one soon..but Vegas doesnt have alot in the way of Masters swimming like LA County but I'm sure you could find something. I checked around a few months ago.
It's a great exercise becuase you get an all-around body workout but with no stress to your joints. It will lengthen your muscles not make you cut,it will lower your heartrate but best of all it offers a zen-like feeling when you get into it just a little bit. It is very meditative..If you have any problems at all with depression regular swimming will vanquish it...it could be the perfect exercise for you since you need to exercise and you are very wound up and competitive...
here are a few links if you need em:
Swimming Things You Can Do to be a Better Swimmer
Total Immersion Swimming
United States Masters Swimming
you dont need to any of this organized stuff just get in the water and slowly swim a few more laps each day..you may like it you may not give it a shot. You will not like it until you give it a solid shoot thu ..by that I mean 2-4 weeks of regular slow workouts so dont expect to just get into it from the start.
If you cant swim at all dont be intimidated ..no problemo take a week or so of cheap lessons ie YMCA and you will be able to start from there.