In Need of Tummy Tuck/possible Mommy Makeover in March 2014 or June 2014 - Houston, TX

I'am a 32 yr single mother of 3 kids ages 12,7 and 3 yrs old and can pretty much say I am done with kids. I'am about 5'2 120lbs. When I got pregnant with my first child i gained 60 lbs and that did all the damage to my stomach. I had lipo on my abdomen and hips in 03/2012, but still left with the extra skin that will not go away. Been considering a tummy tuck /possible mommy makeover.

I will need to have a portion financed. I heard care credit likes to rip off people and my credit should be in good standing by then , but I know alot of physicians use care credit. What does you credit score have to be to be approved?

I have 2 appts. One in December with Dr. Leo Lapuerta and another in January w/ Dr. Malik Kutty. I emailed Dr. Wilberto Cortes for a consult but yet have to hear back.

I will update when I have seen Dr. Leo Lapuerta.

I have made another appointment with Dr. Derek Lou out in Memorial City area for dec. 23,2013 as well.

Pictures of my hanging belly. I am currently smaller than I was in high school, but know I am very active and love to work out. I know though the only way to get rid of the skin is to have a tummy tuck maybe some boobies too.

I had my first consult with dr leo lapuerta. He a very cool guy. Price is reasonably and includes lipo. Everything looks good but still have 2 other consults in jan. Will update.
For those if you that have had a tummy tuck, is it really that painful afterward? I have a high tolerance for pain.

On 1/8/13 I went to my 2nd consult with dr. John nguyen in sugarland. We talked about my expections and how I want look afterward. I want an hourglass look and with additional lipo that would be accomplished.
Same price range and includes everything that dr lapuerta offers. Both do not require overnight stays.
Dr.nguyen was a very nice , easy going guy. His office was upscale and his employees wore high heeled pumps.....very classy
Another thing i like is that they offer additional finacing through another company. I heard u have to have a credit score of 750 to be approved for care credit.
I really did like him. Omg this is so hard..
Descions!

I will have to finance a portion of my tummy tuck. For those of you who have financed .. who have you gone through and hows the credit score requirement?

When to my 3rd consult, Dr. Victor Atun. I really enjoyed the consult. Very detailed and the staff has been very welcoming. I had alot of questions to ask and the office manager was very patient with me.
They offer financing with Carecredit as well.
His tummy tuck includes lipo as well. No overnight stay and says he can complete the tummy with in an 1 1/2 hr.

I have to decided to go with Dr. Victor Atun. He is closer to where I live and his personality is what I like the most.
Hopefully I will schedule for March 6, 2014 or March 11, 2014. He only performs his surgeries on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
COME SOONER SPRING BREAK!!!

Tummy tuck scheduled for 3/6/2014. So excited. I can wait to look normal again in regular clothes and finally being able to wear a bikini after 13yrs.

I have made my decision and decided to go with Dr. Victor Atun in Sugarland. I have chosen him because of what he said he can do and give me the hourglass figure with the lipo to the flanks( he also has a special going on as well). He is also from South America and I love the way they perform the tummy tucks and lipo.

My kids will be off during Spring break and my boyfriend will be driving me to the facility. I have the help of my 13 yr old and also will hire a nurse for 2 days after to help me pick up my youngest who is 3 from daycare. ( daycare is right around the corner). My mom lives in my area but she really does no t help me with my kids. She is more like these are your kids, its your responsibility. But if push comes to shove and I have no other help, I will ask her.

I am excited but a lil worried about the pain. I have a high level of pain tolerance so I'm thinking it will not be that bad. When I had my c-section with my youngest I was walking around 1 hr later and never need pain meds. What is worse ? C-section vs. Tummy Tuck .. I have read both sides. Who knows though.

I was only able to take off 7 days of work. Hopefully that will be enough days. It will be slow the week after spring break. One of my physicians will be out of town. It will be light.

I have made my deposit of $500.00 to hold my space. Pre-op will be done the same day of the surgery. So excited.

Any suggestions of what I need to buy prior?
Example:
* Food- what to prepare or buy b/c I will not be able to cook ?
* Stage 2 garment?
* Vitamins, Protein shakes?
* Clothes?
* Cream for scar?
Thanks anything will be helpful.

Only 3 more weeks to go. I'm so excited. Need help in preparing myself. I think I'm more anxious about the pain afterwards.

I have exactly 2 weeks to go. Excited and nervous. I paid half of the procedure yesterday and they gave me instructions on what to do 2 weeks prior.

Ordered my arnica and bromelain from amazon. ( from vitamedica and much cheaper than going to the actual website). Not too sure on how to take them. Should I take them 3 days prior to the surgery or wait till after?

Also , I need advise on what stage 2 garment to wear after. My doctor will put me in a abdominal binder for the 1st 7 days and then transfer me in the stage 2 garment. My dr's office will not provide me with one so I will need to get one soon. Any suggestions????

Kind of been a sad day for me. Me and the boyfriend have arguing and he was supposed to take me the day of my surgery, but it looks like he has decided to work instead and he knows I have no other family that I can depend on. he knows that as well. Looks like I will need to have a taxi take me and wait and take me back home. Bad thing about taking a taxi is that they charge 24.50 an hr to wait for you plus however much it is to drive you there. The facility is only 10min away so that is the good part.
Feeling kind of down right now but i have already paid half of it so there is no going back. Luckily I have my oldest son to help through the process.