This is a really big hurdle for me...

I teach high intensity water fitness (not your gramma's type of water aerobics), and I'm in a bathing suit almost daily.  I used to have issues with my scars showing, and I won't lie - I wish that my legs were better, but I've really gotten used to a bathing suit.  The other thing that I've noticed is that most people really aren't checking out others in their suit as much as we think they are.  I'm pretty happy that my belly looks really flat in my suit, and I look muscular.  Even when I've worn suits to other places than the YMCA that I work out, no one has stared openly at my leg or arm scars, and my friends keep suggesting that I try a two piece, but I have WAY too many stretch marks for that! 

If you find a good suit that works for you, add some board shorts to cover your hips more if you are more comfortable, and try not to sweat it.

I have more atheletic suits - I don't do the more "fashion" type of suit. I figure if I can't really swim in it, what good is it, but you can try this website -- www.swimoutlet.com  The suits are well made, and they last. 

I like the Land's End suits. They're not skimpy and Sears carries them so you can try them on instead of mail order if you want. As for feeling comfortable in the suit, well, I just remind myself of how many years I wouldn't wear a bathing suit, wouldn't go in the ocean, was too concerned about what strangers would think ... I mean, really, I can't possibly please all of the STRANGERS in the world, now can I? But the real bottom line is that I missed out on a lot when I was fat. I'm not willing to miss out on anymore. Get a bathing suit! You won't regret it.