Aibu to do a sea swim course when I can't fit in a wetsuit?

[SecretIdentitee]

I stupidly (?) signed up for an open water swimming course next week. I am due to have bariatric surgery in a couple of months and need to focus on an exercise plan for after according to doc. My friend posted a link to a sea swim 4 week course starting next week so I thought 'Great, 4 weeks, find out if I like it, maybe make a friend in the group, get the course in Aug while water is not too freezing etc'.
But now they are after emailing me a list of things I need and one of them is a wetsuit and I can't find a womens size 20/22 one ANYWHERE! (Am not in UK)
My brain is fried trying to figure out if a man's one would do (and what size?)
Am close to quitting before I even start but I really really want to do this.
Does anyone know how wide mens ones are at the hips or is a man's one a no go and I need to keep looking?

www.whosthemummy.co.uk/the-best-plus-size-wetsuits-for-women-2020/

www.triwetsuithire.co.uk/blogs/advice/wetsuits-for-the-more-curvaceous-or-plus-size-body

Have you done any open water swimming yet this year? If so I'd say you could go without.
If not you probably won't be able to stay in the water long enough to make the most of the course.

I need men's tri-suits so imagine I'd need a man's wetsuit, that's because of my big shoulders.

What about here?

www.deepblu.com/mag/index.php/2019/11/22/everything-you-need-to-know-about-plus-size-wetsuits/

Ooh just saw you're not in UK!
I'd say a ladies one is pretty important, the shaping is quite different.
Would they consider you doing one without?

www.twobarefeet.co.uk/wetsuits/womens-wetsuits/womens-full-wetsuits.html

Some threads about fat blokes on the hunt for wetsuits

kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2402843&start=10

www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/g111ir/wetsuit_option_for_a_fat_guy/

You’re not in the UK - can you say where you are? Or what the water temps are? That’s pretty relevant to how you might feel in open water without a wetsuit

To be honest I would contact them and let them know the problem if they have been around sea swimming a long time they will have seen swimmers of all shapes and sizes and may be able to advise.

I was probably a 22/24 when I last bought a wetsuit. Guy in the shop said go for height, not size so ended up with a Mens Small!

But I reckon that this may only work for expensive suits, as they stretch.

Snugg make to measure. They made me the most fabulous binged up calf guards. I have huge calves! Not cheap but a wetsuit makes a huge difference.

I'd also try Lomo, cheaper but practical.

I'm West Coast of Ireland so would need a wetsuit as its for an hour, I used to do it a lot when younger and a lot thinner. Lately I pop in and out if the water in 10/15 min stints as we live beside the sea.
There's a couple of places in Cornwall do size 20 wetsuits but shipping to Ireland post Brexit is a nightmare so that's out.
I had found one of the links above and the writer had recommended a 2XL mens wetsuit for chest size but I am just wondering if hips would be a problem.

I reckon you can build up to an hr between now & then.
Acclimatisation can be speeded up now the water`s warmer! I'm in for over an hour in Cornwall at the mo.
Much less hassle in skins too, both getting ready & getting dressed again! No chafing either.
Save your money, invest it in a good robe instead, dryrobe or similar.

I bought a men's wetsuit as it was cheap in the sale and did find the sizing was very different. It was massive on the shoulders but too tight on my calves weirdly.

Could you go for scuba separates (top and trousers)? Order a couple in each size to see what fits best then return?

@SecretIdentitee

I'm West Coast of Ireland so would need a wetsuit as its for an hour, I used to do it a lot when younger and a lot thinner. Lately I pop in and out if the water in 10/15 min stints as we live beside the sea. There's a couple of places in Cornwall do size 20 wetsuits but shipping to Ireland post Brexit is a nightmare so that's out. I had found one of the links above and the writer had recommended a 2XL mens wetsuit for chest size but I am just wondering if hips would be a problem.

Are you looking at southeast wetsuits in Ireland? If so I would try the 2XL and 3XL. A friend is your size and bought from these guys but pear shaped and preferred the 3XL Alder in a shortie style that she then wore swim leggings over.

Try lomo- it's a UK company but pretty sure they post to Ireland. If you contact them they will advise you - they were so helpful to me last year. Good luck with the swimming - hope you love it!

I’m assuming you’re in ROI? If so Decathlon have a few in 2XL which should be absolutely fine! There’s a strappy longleg there I’m getting tempted by myself for when I’ve got my fins out 😄