I have been told that after so long I will be picking up something to wear underneath my clothes like Spanx or other support under garment. However, when I look at the prices, I am thinking it might be easier to just wear loose fitting clothes. I know I have to stabilize for 18 months before I can have any skin or tissue reduction. What do I do in the meantime? Can anyone give me a clue as to what the normal course of events will be?

You don't need to wear expensive name-brand Spanx shapewear. Shapers and other undergarments are relatively affordable when they are generic, no-name types.

Also, we only need perhaps two to four pieces of shapewear at the most.

Spanx as expensive and complete crap.

There are lots of low cost options. You can buy shapewear at Target and Walmart.

I get shapewear on ebay, at Ross, and the outlet stores. I rarely pay more than $20, usually around $30. I have a few pricer pieces but I don't even wear them anymore. The more I lose and the longer I am weight stable ish , the less my skin is an issue. I don't have to wear sleepwear now but I like it under short dresses and skirts just for security.

Wearing loose clothes when you have loose skin is probably the most uncomfortable thing you can possibly do. If you really have loose skin it will just flop around and be painful. Tight, structured clothes work the best. Cheap stretchy clothes are pretty much the worst.