40+ Years Old, 3 Children, Tired of my Wardrobe Always Centering Around my Center - Atlanta, GA

I know my procedure is 6 months away, but I'm so excited, I could burst!! This has been on my mind for the last 6 years and I'm so glad I've decided to finally go for it!! I'd do it now if I could since I'm off for the summer, but I want to lose some weight first and have already made summer plans.
I'm 5'4 and weigh about 145-150. By the time my surgery date comes around, I'd like to be back down to 125. Last summer I lost 25lbs. by walking daily. Don't ever let anyone tell you walking won't get weight off, because that's not true. Unfortunately for me, I put the weight back on over the winter. Sweatshirts are a blessing and a curse at the same time! A blessing because they really camouflage fat...a curse because they really camouflage fat!!
I've never had an "hourglass" figure. Before kids, i just went straight down. After my first child, love handles appeared. Stomach was in great shape (due to him coming 2 1/2 months early) but these pesky saddle bags that I couldn't get rid of. Even weighing 110lbs I still had them????. After my 2nd child, the stomach appeared. Had just about lost the weight I gained then, when the baby decided it was his time to appear. So my oldest will be 20 in September, and my baby turns 7 in November. I've experienced it all---a premature delivery, a C-section, and a VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarian). I'm done!!!
My body has been HORRIBLE for the past 7 years. All my weight goes to my stomach! I'm tired of being asked if I'm pregnant, when's my baby due, how far along am I...etc. Then when I tell people I'm not pregnant, just fat, it turns into me being mortified/embarrassed because they try to insist that I am! NO I'M NOT! Clothes look terrible on me because of my gut. My stomach overhangs!!! I can't wear anything fitted, because it's not a good look. I'll admit last summer when I slimmed down, I did look pretty good (with clothes on). Albeit, that's a small victory, but I'll take them any way I can get them. Naked is another thing, but at least out in public, I was ok. That is no longer the scenario. Stomach is huge and droops. The "hangtime" is gross! I'm tired of hiding in my house because I'm embarrassed by how I look. I hate feeling like the girl with the humongous muffin top in the group. I hate not being able to buy anything cute to wear because it looks disgusting over my belly. In short, I'm tired of not living and feeling like life is passing me by...because actually it is. I couldn't accurately count how many outings I've passed on because I couldn't find anything to wear. Much easier to hide out in my house.
This month, I decided to take some control back. I made a decision that I hope changes my life! I researched plastic surgeons in the area and have decided to go with Dr. Friedlander. Besides making me really comfortable and at ease, he has a spotless record. No deaths or lawsuits!! Lol. Not to mention he's at least $1000 less than other doctors. I'm getting a full TT with lipo on both flanks. Thank goodness I don't have any back fat. I couldn't believe I stood in front of him naked with the lights on!! I won't even stand in front of my husband like that!! Feeling a little guilty about spending so much money on myself, but I deserve it. Everything I do is centered around my children. I love them to pieces, but I need to do something for myself every once in awhile. My husband thinks I'm taking the easy, lazy way out. "All you need to do is get in the gym...I keep telling you how to get rid of it, but you don't listen...walking isn't going to do it...you need to to workout everyday...etc.etc.etc...yaddah, yaddah, yaddah." He doesn't get it. I've dieted and exercised and my belly is still jelly.
I'll admit, while LOVING this site, it's also scaring the crap out of me! I'm having the procedure done over the winter break so that minimizes the amount of time I'll have to take off. As of now, I plan to return when my 2nd graders do on January 5th. How bad is it going to be?? Dr. Friedlander doesn't use a pain pump. He said he's only needed to prescribe hydrocodone and everyone has done fine with that. Aren't percosets better?
I promise not to bore you guys so early in the process. 6 months of pre op blogging might bore people. I will post pics so you can see my journey. I'm so excited!!!! Thank you to everyone for sharing your journey with me!! I can't wait to join you on the flat side!!!????????????

Ok, my date is set for December 17th for my tummy tuck/lipo of my flanks. I'm going to add lipo of my top stomach (since I have 2) and my back. The doctor said my back looks fine, but I might just get it done. I want to make sure I come out FLAT! However, now I'm thinking of having my breasts done! Not at the same time though. Wish I could, but won't be able to afford it all by December. I'm also thinking that that will be too much to handle all at one. One pain issue at a time! I'll only have 2 1/2 weeks to recover before going back to work. So I'll probably do that procedure over my Spring Break. I have a small frame...decent butt, no boobs, and a stomach. Once my stomach is gone, I'll look blah. Can't have a half decent butt, no stomach, and no boobs! Plus, I've wanted breasts since forever!!!! Even pregnant, they barely grew. I was still in the dreaded A cup. So I can't wait!!!! If I was younger, not that 42 is old, but if I was still in my 30's, I'd get my butt done too!!! Sooooo, I don't know how I'm going to contain my excitement till December!!!
Another thing, I've been stalking RS all week long! There are some AMAZING plastic surgeries going on over in the DR!!! I had no idea!!! I actually got a quote from Dra. Yili and I'm waiting to hear back from Duran, Robles, and Diaz. I LOVE what I see! I just wish I was brave enough to do it! If I didn't have my 8 and 6 year old, I'd consider it. There's no way I could ever think about leaving the country for 14 days by myself. That's too far to be away should something happen to me. I don't have anyone that could go with me. I've read about the deaths that occurred over there recently. Deaths happen here also. But just the thought of being so far away by myself doesn't sit well with me. One thing I've learned is to trust my instinct. And it's screaming HELL NO! But, I do wish I had the courage because them women getting it done over there look PHENOMENAL!!! Oh well...???? I did read one RS sister say that she's willing to die to get the body she wants. She's crazy! Hopefully I'll be able to get close to the DR look here in Atlanta. I'm not that concerned about my butt, I just want (finally) a tiny waist without the muffin top!!! On a good note, I went to my diet doctor yesterday and I've lost 11lbs!!!! Yay!!! I'm now 149. I plan to be down to 130 for my surgery. I don't have a problem getting the weight off. Keeping it off is another issue. However, I'm sure that once my muffin is gone, that won't be a problem anymore.

I have been doing research on the doctors in the DR. Their work looks PHENOMENAL!!!! I'm especially partial towards Dra. Robles. Dr. Diaz also. So far I've received quotes from those 2 along with Dra. Yili. Sigh!!! Those prices/packages knocked me off my feet. So then what's the problem??? Me!! I'm too afraid to leave the county by myself to get the work done. I've read lots of great reviews, and some scary ones, but there's scary stuff that happens here. Problem is I don't have anyone that could go with me so traveling outside the country solo, and having major surgery performed is waaaaay outside my comfort zone. Too much pain to not have a family member or friend there to look over me. Travel buddies from RS are a big help, but not the same as having someone that you've known forever right by your side. Man???????????? Wish I had the courage of the ladies on RS!
What I don't understand is why does it seem like the tummy tucks, lipo, and breast augmentations look better by the DR doctors? Most of the blogs from women that went to DR show them wearing fajas right out the operation, but I don't really see that from the US surgeries. Are the DR doctors able to remove more fat during lipo than here? The post op care from Cecip sounds great???? sigh???? I would ?? to have Robles do me...