You all may have noticed that swimsuits have made their untimely return.  Untimely for me at least.  I was so looking forward to donning a swimsuit and having friends over.  But now I'm not so sure.  My thighs are still big and a little cottage cheesy, and though my stomach is SO much better I have stretch marks and surgery scars.  But I'm also frustrated to go back to the sheath I wore before surgery.  Any suggestions?  I really wanted one of those sexy monokinis but I'm afraid too many stretch marks would still show.  I usually buy a show swimsuit for if I'm around people, and then one for tanning!  

Flaunt your hard work! You've done something incredible and deserve to display it. EVERYONE has stretch marks so who cares if they show a bit? Monokini's are a fun way to have some coverage while still being "young". I also LOVE tankini's or a fun swimdress (not like beach mom status though...Betsey Johnson and Juicy Couture have some REALLY cute ones, these are also good if you're self-conscious about your legs). Also, since I destroy swimsuits I just went to Ross and Old Navy this year and loaded up on like 5 instead of one nice one. The
first one is the one I bought and then I tossed in some suggestions, hope this helps!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5405&vid=1&pid= 810772&scid=810772012

Here's a bunch of Monokini's
http://store.alloy.com/browse.do?categoryKey=swim.category.o nepiece&splashTrack=swim&incmpid=SwimMod03

Some of my favorite swimdresses- Dillard's has a TON of options, more than Nordstrom or Neimans
http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502613780 &view=80&No=80&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchUr l=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D80%26spl ashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03515307

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502613695 &view=80&No=80&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchUr l=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D80%26spl ashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03515036

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502576838 &view=80&No=80&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchUr l=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D80%26spl ashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03495898

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502576943 &view=80&No=80&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchUr l=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D80%26spl ashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03495926

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502613547 &view=80&No=160&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchU rl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D160%26s plashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03514617

This one is actually REALLY cute on:
http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502574998 &view=80&No=160&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchU rl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D160%26s plashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03493817

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502612821 &view=80&No=160&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchU rl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D160%26s plashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03513722

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDis play?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=502521051 &view=80&No=240&splashlink=header_wapparel&N=1590675&searchU rl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D240%26s plashlink%3Dheader_wapparel%26N%3D1590675&R=03459155

Happy Shopping! :)

 Wow yayyyy thank you!  I'm gonna flaunt it.  I think tanning is helping too.  I know some people are against it, but pastey white skin no thank you.  Besides, if I don't do a controlled tan now, I get burned up in the summer.  Love all your choices.  It's off to the dressing rooms

First of all ... How did you get your Century card? I want one but can't figure out how to get it!

And 2nd... You are so cute! Who cares if you have a little bit of dimples in your thighs or stretch marks (I should take my own advice).
You've worked SO HARD to be to the point where you are and I say embrace it!

I went to Old Navy and got my 1 piece there 2 weeks ago. They're reasonably priced and they have some SUPER cute ones. There's a pic of me in mine under my "At Goal" folder.

Let us all know what you end up getting!
Good luck.
-Karly

OMG, r u serious, you look hot.  Show it off.  Victoria Secrets have the tankini tops with the underwire bra that make your boobs look amazing, so I bought 2 of those a and I just bought a skort bottom to match from walmart.  I am waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay   bigger than you and I don't give a f#%k what other people think. I went to the beach yesterday and I got so many compliments on my suit, I just put on a skirt when we left and went to eat I even got a free drink from a guy a few tables down, of course I couldn't drink it but it was still nice.

So go out there, have fun and show off that new body!!!

girl you look super cute! I really like those 50's pinup suits:)

I say work it! I have never heard of a momokini before can you please explain or post a link to one... here is a website I like, www.alwaysforme.com. This site is geared more towards plus size people so I'm pretty sure that those that those of us that are closer to goal will not be able to fit the suits will be to big. But they do have some cute options for those that are still not to their goal and want something cute and flattering.

 This is an example of a monokini from Vicky Secrets



I thought maybe it'd work because it's sexy but covers the area that I had the most trouble with.  NOT!!!!  It simply looked like the poor manufacturers didn't have enough material to cover my big ol' tummy.  I'll be sticking to one pieces!

I actually tried that one on. Loved everything about it except the boob area. it seemed to "smush" the girls, lol. Not that I have any left now. I got a monokini from venus.com and the top looks much better. I saw flaunt it! We have all worked hard to be where we are!!!

SUPER cute one-piece's here: 
http://www.unique-vintage.com/separates-vintage-inspired-bat hing-suits-c-227_272.html

 OMG soooo cute!  Think I will buy another...or two...or three...

I did buy 2 inexpensive bathing suits (one "tanning" suit ie for my eyes only, and a one piece) and was planning on sharing a photo for my one year surgiversary!

O-M-G...loving the Betsy Johnson swim dresses, those are super cute!!!