Hydrotherapy - swimming costume question

tillytop
tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
edited 3. Nov 2011, 09:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have been offered a week of physio/hydrotherapy by the hospital which I will definitely be doing but I wonder if anyone has any swimwear advice. I haven't owned a swimming costume for years and being very large - and tall - makes it difficult to find one. Added to which I seriously doubt that I would be able to get a swimming costume on and off due to wrist/shoulder/arm limitations. Physio tells me there is no "dress code" so just wondered if any of you have any suggestions as to what I could wear which would be comfortable and easy to get on and off. I am also limited at the moment to internet shopping so can't go out to try anything on.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Tilly

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wet cossies are a nightmare to get off: my thinking cap is on and if I have any bright ideas I'll post. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    T shirt or vest and shorts ? Agree costumes are an absolute nightmare to get on and off . Jillyb
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    In my experience of hydro - 3 times - help is always available. It had to be for me. I couldn't even get my shoes & socks off in the confined changing room let alone a wet bathing costume.

    If you decide on alternatives to a cozzie, Tilly, do bear in mind the effect of water. Wet T-shirt comp & all that. Can you ask them beforehand?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Tilly, great to hear from you. I feel for you with this dilemma, I gave up swimming as was too exhausted to get changed afterwards. Wet cossies are a nightmare. I would ask about help as you can't be the only one?? No matter how embarrassing???

    (((hugs)))
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly

    I also have trouble dressing etc. I find a tankini better to take on and off, its like a swimsuit in 2 pieces, covers tummy still and then put a t-shirt on top. Its also easier when you want the loo!

    Janie
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly

    You could google swim dresses.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,830
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly!!

    Fantastic to see you :grin:

    I think a two piece is easier as suggested by Janie (hi Janie!). You can get them like a bra you do up at the front as you would a bra then put on. It will also eliminate the height issue and can be under wired.

    This time of year online will likely be your only hope! and add a T shirt (black and old because it will change colour/fade. I sued to do this when l swam with disabled children.

    Miss you loads :sad:

    Toni xx
  • dillydream
    dillydream Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly
    I have had Hydrotherapy recently and was in the same position as you.
    I bought a swim suit on-line and alternated with a Tankini which is easier to get off.
    I think you will find that you will feel exhausted when you get out of the pool and in my experience, a zimmer was waiting for me at the top of the steps and someone to help with getting wet swimwear off and drying/dressing again.
    It`s lovely to be in the hot water. I hope you enjoy it, it`s good. :lol::lol:
    Best wishes
    Dilly
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly

    You have some good suggestions there, to be honest I too was thinking of tee shirt and shorts (pj's)

    I hope you find a solution, but I am sure that the staff would help you undress. Perhaps look for a extra stretchy costume.

    Hope you find something soon and that you enjoy the pool.

    Juliepf x
  • theresa4
    theresa4 Member Posts: 696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I used to swim in shorts and t shirt as I cant always undress out of cossies including tankinis as the are a bit skin tight. I bought mens shorts in black as they tend to be roomier and they have the inner net thingie so dont ride up as much and a cheap black t shirt so it doesnt show anything off. (Ive aways been careful since uni residential school when I wore a white blouse to the pub and got caught in a suprise torrential downpour, I got some looks then my male mate said 'oh pretty bra tess' I didint even have a jacket to cover my modesty but then my other female friend was in a wet white tshirt too so we stuck it out together :oops: :lol: )

    Good luck

    Theresa
    There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those. --Michael Nolan



    Theresa xxx
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was in a hydrotherapy group and we all helped each other get dry and dressed because we all had difficulties. I did buy a swimsuit from a local sports shop(with a disabled space right outside), guessed the size and it fitted. But it was hard to remove when wet. I would say a T-shirt and shorts would be better if allowed.

    I hope you enjoy it,
    Elizabeth x
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • tiggernut
    tiggernut Member Posts: 339
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Tilly,

    T shirt / vest and shorts, but if you do get a costume take it off whilst under the shower it's much easier.
    remember if you go for a t shirt/vest it will become transparent when wet so buy dark colour! :oops:
    Good luck.
    Anita.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Right, bin thinking and have come up with blokes' long swimming shorts (you are tall) and black vest top with a black Tshirt over. Elegance is not an issue for this, you should be able to cope with them when wet if you need privacy - maybe practice in the shower first! - and I hope the hydro helps. I loved it when in, loathed it when emerging: it's very tempting to over-do the exercises as you feel so comfy in there so be warned! DD

    PS It was lovely to log on last night and see your name again.
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • cloud9
    cloud9 Member Posts: 385
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I bought an all in one from M & S and I bought it a size bigger. It's still baggy when wet which makes it easier to get off. I wear swim shorts too sometimes.
    Sue (Cloud9)
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Tilly, I don't think we've "met" yet.
    I've had hydrotherapy in the past and if I needed to, I could have taken my partner in with me to help me get ready and then dress again afterwards. You could ask if you could take someone with you? Alternatively ring them in advance and say you'll need someone to help you.
    I think the other suggestions re t-shirts and shorts are good ones and I initially thought of that when reading your post.
    You may feel a little de-hydrated when you get out of the water and the following day may be a little sorer, however, whilst you're in the water it's bliss!
    I hope you find the treatment helps.
    Take care, Grace
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks so much for all your replies. I will go online and do some investigating. Hope I can find something because, although they said there was no "dress code" not sure my birthday suit would be acceptable.

    Tilly
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :lol: Aw Tilly, it is good to have you back! :lol: Now your birthday suit would be just great wouldn't it? That would solve some problems but perhaps make others! :lol:

    Love
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Elna.

    Well I think if I did turn up in my birthday suit I would have the pool to myself pretty quickly!

    Tilly
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,830
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :shock: