bathing suits post c-section (and are swim shorts really terrible?)

[Anonymous]

I had my second c-section six weeks ago and my stomach is, shall we say, not at it's prime attractiveness I need to take my older daughter to swim classes and we have a beach outing planned in the next month and my stomach looks awful in bathing suits.

Any advice on how to hide the tummy until I can get it under control with exercise (was just cleared yesterday to begin exercising)? I saw that Land's End sells swim shorts and while they aren't attractive to me, they seem like an option. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

One-piece? Swim dress?

[Anonymous]

OP here - I think one pieces might be worse than a tankini because at least the tankini top can kind of break up the visual lines? I was contemplating a tankini and possibly swim shorts (though I think my DH would die if I got swim shorts - he is already against swim skirts). Maybe I need a pattern on the suit?

[Anonymous]

Short swim skirt? Tankini with regular bottoms?

[Anonymous]

Are you back to regular sizes? If so, check out Athleta. They have lots of options. Perhaps you can get some swim shorts (and tell your husband to piss off) and then get something more appealing for him (?) to wear when he is around. The pieces are all separate so it is easy to mix and match- especially if you do solids.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you w ear a tunic or cover up while on the beach, & whatever fits for actual swimming? I always wear shorts and a tank top over my suit at the beach when I'm not actually in the water (because I burn easily, not because I care what anyone thinks about my stomach).

[Anonymous]

This is me as well, OP. Ruching is your friend. Something like these
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446659142&R=74533118945&P_name=Badgley+Mischka&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPre0

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446662258&R=883903489765&P_name=Karla+Colletto+Swim&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPOih

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I think one pieces might be worse than a tankini because at least the tankini top can kind of break up the visual lines? I was contemplating a tankini and possibly swim shorts (though I think my DH would die if I got swim shorts - he is already against swim skirts). Maybe I need a pattern on the suit?

It's weird that your husband feels so strongly about what you wear to the pool/beach. You had a baby 6 weeks ago, wear whatever makes you most comfortable! I'm pretty sure your husband wears long swim shorts and likely isn't rocking out in a speedo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is me as well, OP. Ruching is your friend. Something like these
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446659142&R=74533118945&P_name=Badgley+Mischka&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPre0

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446662258&R=883903489765&P_name=Karla+Colletto+Swim&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPOih

I was just going to say this. I'm post- second c section this summer and there are a lot of suits out there like this (side and stomach ruching). It helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is me as well, OP. Ruching is your friend. Something like these
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446659142&R=74533118945&P_name=Badgley+Mischka&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPre0

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306422214&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446662258&R=883903489765&P_name=Karla+Colletto+Swim&N=306422214&bmUID=ksVPOih

I was just going to say this. I'm post- second c section this summer and there are a lot of suits out there like this (side and stomach ruching). It helps!

I had a suit like this last year when I was PP. I didn't have a C-section but had an emergency appendectomy when I was younger that left me with a 7-inch scar, so I do have the belly overhang. I had this one:

http://www.speedousa.com/sweetheart-crossback.shtml

and it had great tummy control.

[Anonymous]

I second the advice to tell your husband to piss off. He "would die" if you wore swim shorts 6 weeks post c-section? I don't understand that at all. My only guess is that he must be really insecure.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a fan of swim skirts, but if you feel more comfortable in the shorts I say do it. I would also try on the Miracle Suits - they have a lot of structure and almost like a compression garment. It will suck you in a bit. I actually wore the compression bands after both of my c-sections and I feel like it helped with swelling and getting back some of my muscle tone. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

This top: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-beach-club-princess-tankini-top/id_263610

Or this one: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-slender-separates-crossover-tankini-top/id_263754 (I think the "regular" model looks like a size 0 or 2, but even the plus model is flattered in this suit)

Or this one: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shape-enhance-knot-halter-tankini-top/id_261148

With a higher rise bottom:
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-shape-enhance-ultra-high-rise-swimsuit-bottom/id_248771

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-beach-living-solid-ultra-high-rise-bottom-with-tummy-control/id_261199

I don't like swim shorts because they don't look good on me. But wear what looks good on you.

[Anonymous]

Land's End also has some high waisted control top bottoms that you can keep hidden under a tankini.

I have long tankini with ruching and then I wear regular full coverage bottoms, and I think it looks pretty good. I used to be anti tankini, because they seem horribly boxy and not at all flattering for someone with a stomach, but it seems like the styles are a lot better now, I'm totally sold on the tankini.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I think one pieces might be worse than a tankini because at least the tankini top can kind of break up the visual lines? I was contemplating a tankini and possibly swim shorts (though I think my DH would die if I got swim shorts - he is already against swim skirts). Maybe I need a pattern on the suit?

It's weird that your husband feels so strongly about what you wear to the pool/beach. You had a baby 6 weeks ago, wear whatever makes you most comfortable! I'm pretty sure your husband wears long swim shorts and likely isn't rocking out in a speedo.

+1 That is seriously uncool, especially when OP is going to be like 6 weeks PPT. What a tool.