Question:
has anyone been able to wear a tank top or 2 peice post surgery?

I am so excited to go shopping in victoria secret.. hee hee however i am scared i won't be able to wear those cut sleeveless shirts or tank tops because my arms will be to flabby with excess skin. Has anyone not have a tummy tuck etc and still have been able to wear these things comfortably?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 4, 2001)

July 4, 2001
I started out with a lower bmi, so fortunately, I haven't had the loose skin problems much. I did go to the beach last week and wore tank tops and one of those two pieces with shorts style bottoms. It looked pretty cute, if I do say so myself! LOL They also make the ones with regular cut bottoms that come up higher on the abdomen, for extra coverage. I think most of us will have more flab on the lower belly than up high where the incision is at. Believe me, even underneath a one piece, at our top weights, we probably didn't look very good. When you lose some weight, it boosts your self confidence, so you really need only impress yourself anyway. Hope this helps.
   — Amy K.

July 4, 2001
This has been my dilema this month! First of all, tanks, halters, sleeveless are not a problem for me. Yea my arms are a bit flabby, but I comfortable with it. As for bathing suits, that's another story. I must've tried on about 50-100 bathing suits this summer thus far. Problem is that I have a hanging, flabby lower belly, stretch marks, and my legs all the way on top are yucky still. At first I thought a tankini but the bottoms looked terrible on my legs, as did all one pieces that didn't have a skirt attached. I didn't want to get the skirt because in my brain, those were always designated for "fat people". (I don't mean to insult anyone but when I was younger my mother made me wear that while all the other girls wore cute suits and I still have hang ups). Next were the "boy shorts". They cover all the "flubber" on the top of my legs. I tried to find a tankini top for them but couldn't. So, here I am with two new bathing suits. Bikini tops, boy shorts on the bottom. I wear the shorts high to cover the flubber on my belly (I need a TT but won't go through with it). Yea, a few stretch marks show, if you are analyzing me. BUT, I am overall happiest with this and most comfy in it. Wear what makes you feel good. By the way, I look a heck of a lot better than I did last year! =)
   — Jeannet

July 4, 2001
Well, I am 18 months postop, open RNY, down 138 pounds (12 to go til I reach the anorexic governmental standard) AND I am just about to turn 42- today I wore a tanktini swimming suit!!! I was nervous because I still have some hanging skin, but my 13 year old wasn't embarassed to be seen with me, so I must not have looked too bad:) The tanktini covered my scar, but otherwise let ALOT hang out. I am hoping by next year I will look even better as I continue to work out to tone. Good Luck!
   — M B.

July 4, 2001
I have a little bit of hanging skin from my arms, but I also have great shoulders, so I really like showing them off. I've gotten a tan for the first time in my life too, and the darker skin gives the illusion of smaller arms. This is the first summer I remember that I've worn tank tops without the cotton big shirt over it. It feels fabulous!
   — Allie B.

July 5, 2001
I've got skin flapping around everywhere but yesterday, I wore my 2-piece (cropped halter w/hi waisted bottoms) with pride! Even showed my scar to everyone I saw on the beach. 14 months post-op and have gone from 316 lbs down to 167! Who cares about a little loose skin? At least I didn't hear anyone yelling "beached whale"! It was a wonderful day and I felt pretty darned sexy!
   — Tracey D.

July 12, 2001
I am 18 months post-op. I have lost 100 lbs and have been at 141 lbs for 7 months. I bought lots of cute little bikinis and tank tops and shorts my first summer after surgery. Last summer I had only lost probably 75 lbs but I felt great. My arms might be a little flabby and my butt SURELY is, but I feel like I look as good as anyone else at the pool.
   — Jeannie G.