36 Female. Lipo to Ab/Flanks/Lower Back. 5'3 weigh 127 , NY

Well, here goes nothing. Throughout my life I always have had a flabby middle section, and large love handles, which makes me look square. This is hereditary from my moms side. I have always been insecure about this part of my body, and envious of woman who have flat bellies. My friend went ahead and got a tummy tuck/lipo/breast lift last August, and I have watched her throughout this process, and how HAPPY she was to make that decision. It changed her life. I thought to myself, she had such a great experience, why shouldn't I do this for myself. BOOM!
I met with Dr. Polynice at Williams Plastic Surgery Group for a consult, and the rest is history. My friend used him and she had noting buy wonderful things to say about him. I go next Weds Jan 28th, and I'm pretty excited. With talking to the nurses, receptionists there, they had a patient who had this exact procedure done about 6 weeks ago to call me and tell me about her experience. I'm so thankful she did, she was so helpful on things that I should expect. Esp the part about being patient in regards to the results. She said she really started to see her results, around week 4/5 and they keep on coming. She was so nice and made me feel a lot better about the whole thing.....she actually couldn't stop raving about how happy she was! So I'm still not sure what time the surgery is on Weds, we will get a call at some point on Tues to let us know. Hubby is coming with me. I took off Weds, and will go back to work on the following Monday, that gives me 5 days. I know I will be in some pain and uncomfortable, but I sit all day and can walk around as much or less as I need. I'm just REALLY REALLY nervous because we just found out 2 nights ago that my husband won a trip through work to Mexico with about 50 other people. We leave March 14th, which will be about 6.5 weeks after the surgery. I just hope there will be some difference, and I won't look VERY swollen. I'm so excited I decided to do this. I remember always saying 'I want Lipo', as a joke...etc.. But I never actually thought I would do it. Then I thought, I'm a grown woman! I can do whatever I want! Only 2 people know I'm getting this done, my hubby, and my friend who had the tummy tuck. I just know how judgmental people can be, and how hurtful others comments are. Well I attached my before pics, and as you can see the love handles and the flabby tummy.

Two days until the procedure! It’s on Wednesday, so I will wait for the call tomorrow to have them tell me our arrival time. I’m excited, but I’m nervous we are having a huge snow storm tomorrow, and I hope it doesn't get canceled. I’m just nervous about the swelling, only because like I mentioned before we are going to Mexico 6.5 weeks after I have this done. I just hope by then I will be able to tell, and wont be VERY swollen. I’ll write again after the procedure! Wish me luck! Oh by the way, has anyone used Arnica? What does that do, should I get it?

I'm a little nervous now thinking what did I get myself into..but there is no going back now! I'll update tomorrow!