37yr mom, TT, MR, Lipo in The Netherlands

Hello ladies. I'm a 37 yr old expat mom living in Holland with husband and two kids. After more than a year on this site, I have decided to get a TT and share my story on RS. Rewind... I gained about 50 lbs during my first pregnancy and after giving birth, I was left with stretch marks, baby weight and a muffin top. I am 5'4 and currently weigh 140 lbs. Like others, I have tried diet and exercise to no avail. I never considered a TT because I thought it was too scary and I didn't want people to think I was vain. This site has helped me tremendously and last August, I took the plunge and made an appointment with a plastic surgeon in Amsterdam. I consulted with 3 additional surgeons since then (2 in Holland and 1 in Belgium). I wasn't sure about anything until I met with the last surgeon, Dr. Hoogbergen in Eindhoven. I knew he was the one before the meeting was over. Now I just need to schedule a date. That will depend upon the arrangements I can make with my family but I'm hoping for May-June or Sep-Oct. I am to the point that I just want to get it done and move on with my life. Thanks for following my journey.

I saw my PS yesterday to ask a few general questions. That's when he brought up the vertical incision. I don't recall this being mentioned during my initial consultation so I asked him to mark me up so I could get a better idea of where incisions will be. He explained that 1) I don't have enough skin and 2) the skin above my belly button is tight (I have no stretch marks) and all the loose skin is below it so he would need to make a small vertical incision as a result . I asked him to explain twice and I've been researching "vertical incision" like crazy on this site. I'm a visual person and I'm still baffled by how the vertical incision works or why it's necessary in my case. I've posted a Q&A and hoping to get feedback from other doctors because it is driving me nuts. I finally got used to the idea of having a hip to hip scar. Now I really don't want a vertical one. Goodbye bikini?

Since my last update a week ago, I have:
1. Posted a Q&A on this site so other doctors could tell me if a vertical incision is really needed
2. Scoured this site for all things related to vertical incisions
3. Called my PS to ask more questions about the vertical incision

This is what I have come away with:
1. Three doctors confirmed that a vertical incision is the best option based on the info and pictures provided.
2. Even though other RealSelfers were/are not thrilled with their vertical incisions, they have accepted it as a trade off for a flat tummy and one showed that a scar can be almost invisible after 2 years. In other words, there is hope!
3. PS confirmed that the vertical incision is very likely based on his experience. Unfortunately he cannot tell me how long it will be or if it will be visible with undies on. In other words, it's going to happen so prepare for it mentally!

My next step is to decide when I want to have the surgery. I'm going back to the US this summer and doctor said I should wait 6-8 weeks after surgery before any travel. I could do it next month and was told May 26-27 are open right now. That's 6 week from now! Or I can wait until I return and schedule it in September.

Part of me says "do it in May, just get it done with, you can shop for new clothes during vacation" and part of me says "do it after vacation, you have more time to prepare and you can lose extra pounds for better results". I realize I'm just really scared to do this. I'm afraid of the pain, the recovery and ultimately the results. Will I be happy or will I regret it?

Decisions, decisions...