flopped top set, now what?

[coolhandluke]

let me start out by saying I'm new to all this, and don't have a clue the best way to handle many situations, but I am learning.

in 3 of my last MTT I got busted out after flopping top set, the first two times I had QQ, and the flops came Qxx with 2 suited. I figured I had the best hand, and since I had a very tight table image, didn't want to drive everyone off opening with a bet, so I checked raised each time. Each time I had one caller, the turn comes no help, and I after the other guy opens, I push, only to lose on the river to a flush.

how should I play this situation after the flop comes up?