I have a friend who wants me to get a scuba certification with her, which sounds like a lot of fun, but of course, requires a swimsuit. I have a bit of a problem: I've been on hormones long enough that I can't wear a man's swimsuit, but my chest isn't large enough to look normal in a woman's swimsuit. I'm at a large A/small B cup, and normally I pad my bra up to a C (which is still small for my frame), but I have no idea what to do with a swimsuit. I don't want to bail on my friend, but at the same time, if I don't do anything I'm going to stand out like a sore thumb, and I'd rather not go through that.

Does anybody have any experience with this sort of thing? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not sure who else to ask :-/

there's got to be padded swimsuits out there. or push up ones. or i think some breast forms are waterproof - the plastic kind.

Quote from: Kiera on April 05, 2008, 03:37:08 PM
Does it really Lauren? Thought divers wore "wetsuits", especially in colder waters. One of those warm, protective heavier neoprene tops wouldn't solve your problem OK?

In a warm pool? So your an "enthusiast" who insists on dressing for the occasion.

Which Locker Room You Using Anyway?

I'd be going for the certification, which requires a swim test (warm pool) and they make you dive in a warm pool before taking you out to the ocean. I suspect taking people and throwing them in the ocean has a much lower success rate than trying everything out in a warm pool. And yeah, I realize this sort of question can come off really poorly, so maybe I deserve the snarky comments  I simply don't know who to else to ask though.

And I'll be using the women's locker room, or not going at all. I'm obviously not going to pass as a normal male without a shirt at this point.

I've actually never used real breast forms, I've just padded and relied on the form of the bra for shape, I guess I'll need to look into it.

Two pairs of control top panty hoses with legs cut off
and tucking should keep this very tight with
a discrete swimsuit one piece swimsuit
with decent elasticity (not too old).

Quote from: Keira on April 05, 2008, 04:34:39 PM

Two pairs of control top panty hoses with legs cut off
and tucking should keep this very tight with
a discrete swimsuit one piece swimsuit
with decent elasticity (not too old).

Thank you! This helps a lot. Definitely one piece, and the panty hose idea is really good. I've been more worried about my chest and hadn't given tucking too much thought. I think I'm just going to have to invest in some sort of silicone breast forms.

Thank you for taking my question seriously, I know I don't have a long posting history, and this is the sort of question that can be seen as iffy, but, like I keep saying, I'm all alone here and really need advice. Thank you thank you thank you!

My wife and I both certified.  Haven't gone diving as a woman, yet, plus my c-card is a dead giveaway.  You'll really have a great time.  Breathing for the first time underwater, even in the shallow end of a controlled pool, and realizing you're not going to have to surface in the next 10 seconds is one of the most amazing sensations I've ever experienced.   

You can get special breast forms (usually just more like a breast enhancer, like what you'd put in a bra to go up a cup or two), designed for swimming and exercising.  Also, even in warm waters you'll want an exposure suit.  At the very least, a shorty, like what surfers wear during the summer.  I always wear at least that much when I go diving in places like Hawaii.  It's always best to be prepared and well dressed.  You can still get hypothermia in water temps as high as 80 degrees+.  No lie. 

Have fun!  Keep us posted, and let us know how it turns out!

Quote from: Jessica L. on April 05, 2008, 05:04:18 PM
Have fun!  Keep us posted, and let us know how it turns out!

I will! I'm at a point in my transition where things are kinda starting to snowball, I'm moving soon, and will be in a situation where I can live as a woman 24/7 except for work, my girlfriend and I have broken up (and is probably the last woman i will ever be with); things are starting to get pretty damn complicated. I need to sit down with my friend and make sure she's willing to go through all this with me, I'm not sure she knows what she's getting into. No matter how much I pad/tweak/tuck I'm still not sure I'll be passable enough to make things comfortable for her. But, doing it as a guy isn't an option any more, and you work with what you've got.

Diving sounds incredibly exciting and is something I've always been interested in. I read Jacques Cousteau books when I was little, how could I turn down the opportunity to go do something like that myself?

You'll definitely have a blast. 
Oh, one other thing I just thought of.  Not to scare you or anything, but.....
Are you on HRT?  You may want to talk with your endo before going diving.  Your doc may need to sign a letter or something authorizing you for the activity.  It's something the scuba agencies require if you tell them you're on, well pretty much any type of medication.  And they will ask.  Diving carries with it a very unusual set of liabilities. 

I'm sure you'll have great fun.  Enjoy!  And go diving in a place like Hawaii as soon as you finish!  It's totally worth it!
 

Yup, I'm on HRT, I'll keep that in mind.

Hi Lauren,

Thanks for the idea for my name ... yes I blantently copied you... it just SO fit what I was feeling. Anyway
I know what you are faced with... I could not pass up top as a boy anymore and the suits Ive tried in
solid colors are odd looking. But I went with a very busy varied pattern... it seems to hide the breasts and
you don't notice them at all. Try it and I thibnk you'll be surprised.

Scuba is great fun... if you get a chance to to the Caribbean or Florida Keys... the clear water is AMAZING and the most fun
you will ever have scubaing 

Amanda

Ah, I know plenty of gg's who are A cup and feel comfy in a swim suit. Breast size doesn't determine your gender. I am also between A and B myself and go to beaches (though I am closer to B than I am to A - A causes a squeezing feeling). And there are padded swimsuits and ones that give you a lift if need be.  http://www.moreswimsuits.com/swimsuit-suits.html  is one site I found a little helpful. Good luck,
                           Kim

Kim, I'm not sure why, but I'm not seeing anything in your post, can you see it?

No I can't either. I have no idea why either. All I said is there are plenty of gg's who are smaller than you and are comfy in a swimsuit. Bust size shouldn't define who we are.  http://www.moreswimsuits.com/swimsuit-suits.html is a useful site I found. Good luck,
                                  Kim 

Quote from: AlwaysLauren on April 05, 2008, 03:09:01 PM
I have a friend who wants me to get a scuba certification with her, which sounds like a lot of fun, but of course, requires a swimsuit. I have a bit of a problem: I've been on hormones long enough that I can't wear a man's swimsuit, but my chest isn't large enough to look normal in a woman's swimsuit. I'm at a large A/small B cup, and normally I pad my bra up to a C (which is still small for my frame), but I have no idea what to do with a swimsuit. I don't want to bail on my friend, but at the same time, if I don't do anything I'm going to stand out like a sore thumb, and I'd rather not go through that.

Does anybody have any experience with this sort of thing? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not sure who else to ask :-/

This is the type of subject we should be talking about and the fact that we all don't cut it in a swimsuit. It is part of a proper real life test and I have also had the same thoughts on the subject as you have Lauren. I also need advice on this subject as my boobs are non existant compared to a natal female......and my butt is too small....my legs are too skinny. I've been on HRT for 10 years so I've exhausted that possibility......

Posted on: April 06, 2008, 06:46:10 AM

---

Quote from: Keira on April 05, 2008, 04:34:39 PM

Two pairs of control top panty hoses with legs cut off
and tucking should keep this very tight with
a discrete swimsuit one piece swimsuit
with decent elasticity (not too old).

Now, that is a crazy,  impractical, unworkable idea Keira......

Quote from: Kim on April 06, 2008, 06:31:47 AM
No I can't either. I have no idea why either. All I said is there are plenty of gg's who are smaller than you and are comfy in a swimsuit. Bust size shouldn't define who we are.  http://www.moreswimsuits.com/swimsuit-suits.html is a useful site I found. Good luck,
                                  Kim 

Most of the genetic women who are smaller busted than I am are also about 2/3rds my size I don't think bust size defines who I am, but I do think it makes a huge difference in how I'm treated by the people around me. The difference in reception between going out with and without padding my bra is incredibly dramatic,

I am not ashamed. I'm simply trying to be practical

Ive used those "natural bras" or what ever they're called by the store you buy them at...

There basically a sticky silicon bra/ half breast form... <they require you to have something to begin with>

They adhere fairly well, are easily removable, and they hold well in water so long as the adhesive isn't too old 

They have a form of them at walmart, for like 25 bucks... and so long as your top dosnt droop too low you'll be fine.

Hope that helps

Well I just used silicone breast forms in my swimsuits for 6 years of my being full time. It worked quite well for me unless you are going to do some vigorous working out of some type or another. Anyway it worked fine for me. I haven't went to the beach for a couple of years but if the opportunity arises I'll be their, I love the beach. This time I won't need breast forms, my own two babies are big enough to fill a swimsuit. 

Cindy   

I don't see why using 2 control type panty hose with legs cut off (especially if its a size smaller) in a swimsuit is unpractical! Actually, it works so I don't get the objection.

If after tucking, using those 2 and a discrete new two small crotch area swimsuit something slips out, you must have a penis with a industrial metal coil in it coupled with a razor blade 

Quote from: Keira on April 07, 2008, 03:49:06 AM

I don't see why using 2 control type panty hose with legs cut off (especially if its a size smaller) in a swimsuit is unpractical! Actually, it works so I don't get the objection.

If after tucking, using those 2 and a discrete new two small crotch area swimsuit something slips out, you must have a penis with a industrial metal coil in it coupled with a razor blade 

That's very ->-bleeped-<-......and not very workable at all. Imagine you are on a hot sun soaked beach you need to wear something that keeps you cool but looks good. The last thing I would want is all that clobber inderneath. I'd feel like a fake and that is definitely not somthing I would want to work with..

Quote from: Berliegh on April 07, 2008, 05:41:00 AM
That's very ->-bleeped-<-......and not very workable at all. Imagine you are on a hot sun soaked beach you need to wear something that keeps you cool but looks good. The last thing I would want is all that clobber inderneath. I'd feel like a fake and that is definitely not somthing I would want to work with..

Perhaps Berleigh, but the practical reality is that, pre-SRS, passing is a problem, and when you are going for lessons to learn a new skill with a whole bunch of strangers, the last thing you need is to be outed. We may not be TV's, but that doesn't mean we can't poach good ideas when we need them.

~Simone