Going through security is going to be humiliating, if you have to come through the US. They pat you down.

Shapewear is as comfortable or as uncomfortable as you want it to be. I have different kinds for different goals. Extra firm and firm are going to offer the most compression and will also be the hottest. Light shapewear which will be good enough to keep you from flopping is light and comfortable, it won't reshape you much but it will hold your skin comfortably.

Shapewear is really a trial and error thing, everyone has their preferences. The more you spend the more it does and the more comfortable it is. I like maidenform for cheap everyday wear (even though I don't wear shapewear every day anymore) and Mirclesuit for when I am dressed up or want the most compression with the most comfort.

You are going to need powder and wipes, Ihave found tgat since dropping weight has corrected my metabolic issues, I don't get the yeast smell, infections under my apron that I did when I was large.

The more weight I lose, the less my loose skin bothers me. I can just wear high waist panties like these https://www.victoriassecret.com/panties/shop-all-panties/raw -cut-high-waist-brief-sexy-smooth?ProductID=325682&Catalogue Type=OLS&search=true and they hold me emough.

If you are really down 200 pounds, you skin might not be as cumbersome as you think it will. I had more issues with it at 100 pounds down than I do at 180 pounds down.

Also you can always wear moisture wicking athletic apparel with compression.

While I did have plastics, I traveled after massive weight loss with my extra skin- my son lived in Chicago so flew quite a few times... My biggest problem at the airport was the excess skin can come up as a shadow and they do a pat down..LOL. I would get "Do you have anything in your pocket?" No that would be my excess skin...

The issue of excess skin is going to be the same at home or in India. Everyone is different - different genetics, and situations. My Doctor posts on Instagram, and I am always amazed at how skin can look different. I thought mine was bad, but he posted one woman's photo (always with permission) who had lost much less weight than me, but her pannus hung mid thigh... but her arms and legs looked great.

There is no magic ball to tell you how you will look. Most people figure out a way to hide it and make it work.

I would also add that not only do people have different metabolisms, but people respond to the surgery in different ways. I started as SMO, but my surgeon refers to me as a "super responder". He says the only way to accurately predict how effective the surgery will be is if your siblings have had it. If they are super responders, it's very likely you will be. Aside from that, there is no way to predict who will respond in what fashion.

One other thing to add is that even SMO can be a huge range. I was SMO, but just barely, I had a BMI of 50. That's a far cry from someone who maybe 60+ BMI. I didn't have over 200 lbs to lose even though I was SMO. I ended up losing about 185.

Anyway, just wanted to add a couple of things to what was already a lot of great info in this thread.

Thanks peach! And you just reminded me that I did take all my measurements before I even had my first consult... I hid them away incase anyone saw them...now to remember where that was hahaha...

I've got a current goal to lose 5#.

High weight: 337

Weight @ start of goal 195.5

current weight: 193

next goal. 190.5