floating

Question
I used to be a lifeguard and also swim for my county in my youth. I am now 51 and have recently started swimming again to keep fit. My problem is that i can't stop floating. i pop up like a cork. My bottom and feet come out of the water when i do any stroke. I used to be able to swim underwater, but now i can't stay down. I can lay on my back and eat my dinner off my chest like an otter. The only difference between now and when i was younger (when incidentally, i could not float to save my life) is that i am 2 stone heavier and i have had lipo-suction on my thighs. I can still swim as well and as fast as i ever could but it is putting a strain on my neck and back as i have to arch them so much during breast stroke.

Answer
Jane--
The reason people float is the body fat content in their system.  Even though you have had lipo-suction there is still going to be a layer of fat in your body, and probably more than when you were a youth.  With diet and exercise you should be able to start to shrink the fat cells to a degree.  As an adult female you are dealing with a good deal of body fat that is typical in women.
As for the neck and back issues, as you train you should be able to get your technique to where it was as a youth.  There really isn't a reason to be arching your back much when you are swimming, keep working at it.
Best of luck.
George