3 months post op -Chapter closed -- New pics!

Hello everyone:
My name is Tara. I'm 31yrs old. A working full time mother of 3 wonderful children 11,8,and 5 all by c-sections. Married to a wonderful supportive man for 10yrs next week! Yay!
My story is a lot similar to many others. I gained a ton of weight (75 pds) with my first pregnancy and the weight steadily crept up between my 1st two children. I got all the way to 242pds before I even realized. I'm 4ft 11inches. It's not a good look. One year after I had my 2nd child, I remember going to see my OB/GYN for my yearly visit. She stated my weight and asked "What I had decided to do about my weight problem?".. That is when it hit me, so the weight loss journey began. I spent the next 9 months dieting and lost 100 pds then I got hit with a surprise pregnancy intermission. ;) I had a very active healthy pregnancy, nursed, and as soon as I stopped nursing I started gaining weight back slowly. In September of 2009, I joined a local gym and the rest is history. My life is night and day from where it was. I've never been an athlete in my life. Now I call the gym my 2nd home and I'm a clean eater. I have done triathlons, marathons, extreme races, and strength competitions to stay motivated. To date, I have lost 127pds. I'm down to 118 which is 2 pds below my goal weight. I have great muscle definition everywhere except (you guessed it) my tummy area.
For the past 6 years, I have complained about my skin.. It is excessive. I constantly joke that I have a 4pk. The other 2pk is just hidden. I do feel like this tummy tuck is the last piece of the puzzle. The medal at the finishline. The last bit of "fat girl" that needs to be cleansed from my soul...
Anyway, I have been considering and interested in a tummy tuck for a while. I have 2 friends and know a few other people that have been to my surgeon. She is wonderful! She lacks a little bedside manner but I like that she is honest. :) I went for a consultation last year and decided to hold off. I wasn't financially ready or physically ready... coming to realize "mentally" as well.
Well, I went ahead for a 2nd consultation and discussed things with her again 2 weeks ago. A few days later, I booked my surgery with her for Tuesday, October 18th.
Now that it is booked, I am having constant 2nd thoughts, fears, anxiety, and hesitation. I know I do want it (the flat tummy). I grab my flab everytime I walk in the bathroom. I have talked about it with friends for years. I have the "finances" all worked out providing a car doesn't break down or anything else doesn't pop up. ;) I waited until race season is over. My husband has a week off to be with me. I can take up to 6 weeks off work paid 80%. Everything has worked out...Why not do it?
How much panic is normal? I am starting to think of everything -Will I absolutley regret the scar? Realize this- I don't even think of my c-section scar. :)
I go from up to down. The risks are just like anything else in life to being completely freaked about the risks. Everything from anesthesia to the recovery..
I've gone from welcoming a break from the gym for a few weeks to completely obsessing when I will be able to get back to working out. My doctor has said 3 weeks and I can do "light" activity. 4 weeks back to the gym with moderate(spin,running, and light weights). 6 weeks until full intensity (Crossfit-Bootcamp). 8 weeks until crunches. Is this realistic? I've read some stories on hear and I'm starting to worry. I do not want to be down, bed ridden, and out of the "game" for 6 months! Any workout junkies on here? haha
Money- Do I really want to spend $8k to chop off some skin? Is it really going to make that much of a difference in my appearance?
These are just the few of the examples of the range of emotions going through my head...
One more direct question - My PS does a technique that does not require drains. I was pretty stoked about that but after reading on here for days... It seems like they are the norm. Anyone with any experience with no drains? I am expecting swelling but do not want to be in swell hell forever. She also said no fat tissue therefore no lipo will be needed. Some tightening of the muscle but not extreme. It seemed pretty straight forward. (How funny does that sound!)
Thank you to anyone still reading. I tend to be long winded but this "elective" surgery stuff is not for the weak in the mind.
Any words, answers, thoughts, or prayers that could be offered is greatly appreciated.
Toodles and Terrific tummies to all!

Today feeling a bit better in the mind. I spoke with my surgeon's nurse yesterday about my ongoing fear of not being able to ever get back to the level of intense exercise that I enjoy.. She assured me that after recovery I will have no limitations. I need to follow the PS guidelines which I have every intention on doing... and then slowly start back into a routine building up to what I'm used too. Makes sense.

We also discussed all my "normal" pre-surgery fears (anesthesia,recovery,scar placement,result) and really made me feel more confident.

I am feeling much more confident that I can do this.

Thankfully, I have a CROSSFIT competition this weekend and a half marathon next weekend to occupy my mind.. then it's crunch time. MY pre-op appt is just a few days after that. I think that is when reality will really hit.

If this experience isn't mentally exhausting enough...

I got a call from my mother last night. She waited until the end of the conversation and then brings up the surgery. Now I already know that she doesn't agree with it. I have heard nothing but "if you feel you need too" or "what are you on a quest for perfection?" anytime that I had mentioned it.

Last night, she decides to tell me about 3 girls that she worked with that went to "NY" to have tummy tucks. Well, 2 came out great. From what it sounds like the 3rd girl has had some set backs, some infection, and other side effects... She follows this all up by telling me. You better hope you are back up and running like you think. Or, what will you do if you can't train...or work. Really? Talk about being a Debbie downer.