If you have a C-section "shelf", have you found flattering swimwear?

[SirVixofVixHall]

After 2 C-sections I have the typical "shelf". I hate it. I have lost some weight recently but the shelf is still there, so I think I'm stuck with it (smallest child is 10 now..) . I'm trying to find swimwear,( tricky enough as I'm tall with big norks). I can't have gathering or ruffles as the swimming thing needs to also fit smoothly under my wetsuit . So i need some sort of bottoms, or swimsuit, with the sort of control that does flatten the shelf. The trauma of putting on a costume is bad enough with my doughy thighs without the shelf too...

I'm 16 months after my second section and I'd suggest sporty type hot pant/shorts and tank top (the type of sets you get for swimming) well that's what I wear and the shorts definitely disguise my pooch

A tankini sort of a thing? I've only found ones where the shorts are quite low, so cut into the middle of the shelfy bit rather than smoothing it.

I always recommend this one

1 year post c section and I feel good in it!

I have a very noticeable bulgy C section pouch, and I've found I can get away with the kind of bikini bottoms that tie at the sides - you can tie them just loosely enough to take the emphasis away from your shelf, and also so they don't dig into your hips and create a bulge there. Also, the bikini bottoms with a sort of 'band' around the waist, the kind that folds over - they're forgiving too.

I'm big boobed too, and I buy my bikinis from Bravissimo - they have a decent range of mix and match stuff as well as sets. I couldn't wear a one piece as my bulge would be horribly obvious, but a bikini seems to remove the focus a little even with my awful stretchmarks .

Those high waisted bottoms that go up to your belly button are quite in at the moment!

I got a toast bikini in the sale and it's quite high on the tummy and very flattering

I love my Freya tankinis. (They've got indiviual bra sizes with underwiring if you want.) There are lots of them available online and at greatly reduced prices on ebay.

Sorry, btw have had 4 sections and also have a shelf (as you describe). I wear big old Bridget Jones' plain black bottoms. They go well with the tankini tops.

I tried someTOAST high waisted bottoms but they looked truly horrible on me fitwise, and had no tummy support at all. I always struggle to find a swimsuit as you can get cup-sized suits, or tall suits, but not both. So it will need to be a tankini or a bikini. I pored over the swimwear in Bravissimo earlier, but nothing sprung out. I don't want black, which doesn't help. I like this www.bravissimo.com/products/venice-bikini-top-blackwhite-sw314bwh/ But the bottoms are sold out. I'd also much rather have a colour. I think a bit of pattern makes the shelf a bit less obvious?!

I go for tankinis. I live near the sea so have several and just mis match about.

Seafolly sets might be worth a try, as they do bikinis with different styles of tops and bottoms to choose from, including sucky-in styles.

Phase 8 also have higher waisted bikinis, although they only cover - i.e. without any magic hold-in properties.

I do not have overhang or pouch, but I am yet to find something that looks good. If you are tall, maybe shorts/highwaist?

I found an old Toast swimsuit in my drawer, it is double layered, sort of 30's style, with a little skirt, it was too small but now I'm thinner it fits again, and is flattering even though it doesn't have any specific control. Can't wear it under a wetsuit though, due to the skirty bit, so I still need something for that. Maybe I should ring bravissimo?

Will check out Seafolly.

Another fan of the high waist toast bikini bottoms. Wore mine 12 weeks after c-section.

Also a huge fan of an old m and s swim suit with internal scaffolding. It really pulls the ledge in.

Boden and m and s do tall suits

This M&S one v like the Next one above: it is double layered so might be a bit thick under a wetsuit - I have a plain black one from a few years ago with crossover straps, bit awkward to climb into this might be easier? Anyhow, it does a good job of disguising my shelf.

www.marksandspencer.com/secret-slimming-ruched-swimsuit/p/p22502210?image=SD_02_T52_5893_B0_X_EC_90&color=RED&prevPage=plp

definitely think a pattern helps too, though I like my plain one of these as well.

Yes, ruching is no good under a wetsuit. I like ruching for a normal suit, but the M&S ones, or Boden, aren't cup sized so don't fit me on the bust. That is the suit problem for me, you can have one "need" like a big cup size, or being tall, but not both! No-one makes a longer suit with bra sizing. Don't know why Bravissimo don't do tall and Petite suits. I'm a 28H or 30GG bra, and the 28 and 30 bra sized suits come up shorter than in bigger back sizes.