Swimming Pool

[Guest Astrosmurf]

Hi all,

I'm slowly moving along with my transition plan but a long way from full time yet. Still, one thing that's on my mind a lot already is what the hell am I going to do at the swimming pool and will I have to give up swimming entirely? I love swimming. I hated sports at school (enforced rugby etc.) for obvious reasons, but swimming is something I've found as an adult that really suits me. It's sensual and calming and non-competitive, and it's actually helped me feel a little more comfortable with my body, exposing a lot of skin in public to a degree I never did before . . . Anyway, basically, my question is what happens when I get boobs? How am I going to hide my penis? And which changing room am I going to use or be able to use if this is even possible? Surely someone in transition has encountered this problem before?

Thanks

[KathrynJulia]

Smurf:

You need to buy a one piece swimsuit with a skirt on it. It needs to have a built in shelf bra. I bought one and I look good in it too. Well I think I look good in it. I had difficulty with sizing because the suits have a lot of elastic built into it, so whatever your shape, it's going to hug you. The thing you need to do is buy a suit that is long enough to fit your body. I had a great coupon off, but the suit wasn't long enough. I could have shipped it back and then waited and waited and waited some more till I got it in the right size. So I paid almost full price for my suit.

Here is a link that I used for fitting my swimsuit. I love my swimsuit because it hides my boy junk until I can lose it and present a smooth front. And it fits me well. So don't give up on swimming. It's good for you. Kathryn

[Charlize]

I spent some time worrying about just this problem. I ended up with a two piece suit. I found it on Lands End. Since i wear breast forms i purchased from our sponsor as my girls grow. I was afraid of loosing them in a pool. That was my first problem. The suit i found is designed for women who have had mastectomies. Pockets are built into the suit to hold the forms. Brilliant!

The second problem was to get a suit with a small skirt. Cute, sexy and a good coverup.

I have to admit i felt a bit like the girl in the song "she wore and itsy bitsy yellow polkadot bikini" but no wardrobe malfunctions.

I was more afraid of loosing my wig as i'm bald as a coot.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Astrosmurf]

Thanks Ladies, I never even thought of that or knew you could get ones with skirts on them! That's a great idea with the masectomy suit too.

Obviously you must use the women's changing room then. But what if you've still got a penis? How can you get around that? I guess I could go to the pool with the suit on underneath my clothes, but what about when I get out of the pool and need to change? Women's changing rooms don't all have individual stalls, do they? I think I'd be arrested, not to mention mortified, if anyone saw my residual downstairsy-ness

[Guest]

My first year of being out, I got away with the summer swims with a male suit with a tight T-shirt under a baggy jersey top. Next summer I had a boob problem, they could not be smashed down with a tight Tee. A girl friend gave me a nice black one piece suit that had modest breast covers but not really well pronounced cups. It is black with tiny blue polka dots. I carefully trimmed off the skirt so they would fit nicely under the male trunks. It was a look of the nineteen thirties men's one piece swim suits sans sleeves. No eye brows raised. my latest suit is a knock out one piece black shapely with a nice ruffly skirt that is very curvy and flattering. It really took me that long in all respects, body, mind and poise to really look and act womanly enough to pass without question.

Done correctly the changing room is a non issue. I come dressed in my swim suit with one of those cute beach skirts. I don't need to change to or from and I can wear that combination anywhere along the way and I just look sweet and summery. A lot of genetic women are not fond of pool changing rooms so I am not causing anything unusual. If you don't have your girl presentation completely together, avoid the slinky two piece suits until you gain girl skills. If you are not confident they will clue into you very quickly. If you are just a bit shy and conservative you will do just fine. Guard your modesty and enjoy your swim. Giggle. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest Astrosmurf]

Hey gals, I was looking at some post-mastectomy one-piece suits online. The ones with the skirt do look very feminine but I think I prefer the jogger-type with loose shorts attached instead of the skirt so will add that item to my list.

JodyAnn: thanks, that makes me feel a little more reassured. The beach skirt/sarong idea will be the plan and I can easily pull it off even in winter as I only live three blocks from the pool! Sorted

[VickySGV]

A wrap around beach towel skirt or sarong that you put on after showering in your suit, (and practicing a bit at home first) will look fine in changing rooms. You will be putting panties on after the suit bottom comes off (the towel skirt is useful for drying off your "down under" before you do hoist them up. Modesty is less noticed in a womens locker room than a males!! Pick a corner spot and face the corner for the top items although they are less an issue than a sunburn is, Boy style boxers with a fower print top would be fine and cute too,

[Guest DianeATL]

After reading these good tips I went web surfing. Athleta.com has some great separates - some cute sexy skirt bottoms and tops separate so you can go with a longer one or bikini top. I need to do some more looking and get one so I can be prepared when the opportunity arises.

Edited October 7, 2013 by DianeATL
member request

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Smurf,

You have received some very good advice about swim suits.

To answer your question about hiding your penis, there is a process called "Tucking"

There are many links if you search "Tucking".

One helpful link is:

http://www.wikihow.com/Tuck-and-Tape

As for changing rooms, if you are concerned, change into your swimsuit at home and cover it so when you get to the pool or wherever all you need to do is remove your outer garment.

Hope this helps,

I wish you Success and Happiness on your Journey.

Keep us informed about your swimming.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Melissa~]

After a year and a half hiatus I went swimming just a month ago. I concur on a skirted suit. I have enough development up to keep a top in place and show a bit, however my particular level of comfort does demand a high coverage two piece swimsuit.

There can be no doubt with being post op and hopefully skinnier in the future I will be going skimpier.

I have the option to change before going to the pool bypassing any/all changing room issues. I do feel I largely can function without causing trouble and have my legal ID as a backup in the event of an issue.

[Guest Astrosmurf]

Thanks for the advice Carla, I've read a bit about tucking but haven't tried it. Pushing the testes up inside sounded good but potentially painful.

The I.D. is a good idea Melissa and maybe I can look into that, they are good like that in New Zealand at least with passports

[Guest Kylie2112]

I bought a really nice tankini/skirtkini set to hide the little guy when I go swimming. I think I'm a bit lucky in that I've grown a full natural B cup, so I actually moderately ok in the top But yeah, skirtkini, whether a one piece or two piece is the way to go prior to any SRS. Kohl's has some great stuff (I think I paid $30 for both pieces).

Aside: next year, assuming I'm healed up enough before my aunt's big family gathering at her camp, I am totally going to rock a regular ol' two piece swimsuit bottom. Because that will be the first time I will feel comfortable in regular swimwear (this year I felt ok, last year I skipped wearing my memere skirted one-piece, and prior, my guy-mode self just felt hideous in just swim trunks).

[Guest Astrosmurf]

That's awesome Kylie, congratulations and best of luck with the two piece bikini outing :]

[VickySGV]

Aside: next year, assuming I'm healed up enough before my aunt's big family gathering at her camp, I am totally going to rock a regular ol' two piece swimsuit bottom.

If the party is 6 weeks or more from your surgery date, you will be fine in most circumstances. If this is a chlorinated pool, the chlorine will be ouchie if you are still healing. I tried a hot tub about a week too soon, ouch, but no damage!! (Just a one piece suit for me though!)

[Guest Kylie2112]

Aside: next year, assuming I'm healed up enough before my aunt's big family gathering at her camp, I am totally going to rock a regular ol' two piece swimsuit bottom.

If the party is 6 weeks or more from your surgery date, you will be fine in most circumstances. If this is a chlorinated pool, the chlorine will be ouchie if you are still healing. I tried a hot tub about a week too soon, ouch, but no damage!! (Just a one piece suit for me though!)

My concern is that it's a lake. It'll be like 8-12 weeks after my surgery date, and the thing I'm concerned about is various potential aquatic infections.

[Guest KarenLyn]

You're more likely to come into contact with infectious organisms in a public pool than any lake.