BA/BL Full Review

I figured I would do a review throughout my experience and continually update on my progress!

I booked my consultation with Dr. Clark on 15 July and it went amazingly. I went to the Santa Rosa Beach location for my consult. When I walked in I was immediately greeted by the receptionist. They checked me in and I filled out a few things using an iPad. Paid my $75 consult fee then waited maybe 5 minutes before being brought back to the consulting room.

In there I was asked what I specifically wanted to go over and had a really soft robe to put on. The room was very clean and actually, really nicely set up. Roughly 5 minutes went by and Dr. Clark came in with his Surgical coordinator (I love that he had another woman present for the visit- definitely made me feel more comfortable).

He asked me what I was there to discuss and I told him I wanted a Breast Augmentation with a lift if I needed it. We talked for roughly 45 minutes and we decided I needed a slight lollipop lift (I have a son and breastfed...so they are sad boobs). He told me that they offered a military discount since I had served and then told me that within 48 hours I will get an email with my quotes.

It was a Friday afternoon so I received my quotes Monday morning via their patient portal and it explained exactly what I would be paying for (pic posted). I had the choice of two different surgical centers that varied on cost and I could choose which one I preferred. The downside was the less expensive surgical center was a long wait time, however, I was okay with that as I needed the time to get ready for major surgery.

So I spoke to my husband about timeframe and costs and we agreed that we were a go-to-go book. I called on Tuesday afternoon to book my surgery. I am scheduled now for 2 November. I paid my $500 deposit via the phone and scheduled my date. I am beyond excited and thrilled with how easy and flawless this consultation and booking process was.

What I like about Dr. Clark & why I chose him:

Just in person, he has a very easy-going personality, he showed that he cared and didn't force anything on me or state that I needed something I didn't. He thoroughly explained how the process works and his credentials. He went through the types of implants he offers and I was able to actually feel them and why he likes that specific brand. He stated that he rarely does saline implants, not that I wanted saline, but usually people do not choose them as they do not have a more realistic feel to them. Overall, it was a great first impression and experience. Ill keep you updated!

So today I had my Preop Appointment. I am officially two weeks out from surgery. I checked in for my appointment via their Patient portal app. When I did that I received my preop instructions, post-op instructions, and final payment scheme. I'll attach pics of those instructions too!

Payment Scheme: At my preop appointment I would need to pay the remaining balance for this surgery. The one thing I want to mention is if you are using Care Credit (I am not, but thought of others that might need this info) then you will not be able to pay Destin Surgery Centers fees with that. You will need to come out of pocket for their expenses. So my payment was broken down like this... I owed my surgeon $4850 at my preop appointment then would wait for Destin Surgery Center to call me to pay $2950. It is two separate transactions. The surgeon takes Care Credit, but the surgery center does not. Just keep that in mind when you book so you aren't caught off guard.

Lets talk Preop Appointment: When I arrived I was greeted and given a packet with consent forms. I had to fill out information for the surgery center and then sign consent forms on their iPad. It was super easy. When I finished this I paid my remaining balance and I was done. Waited about 10 minutes to be taken back to the room for examination. When I was in the exam room the nurse was absolutely the most amazing human I have ever met. She is really so nice. She took my vitals, asked me to verify what I was receiving, and took basic information. We discussed the surgery a bit, the medication I would be prescribed, and what to anticipate on surgery day. We took photos and measurements as I'll be getting two bras post-surgery. She did inform me that I need to get a CBC blood panel completed and they put an insurance code on it so that it was covered by my insurance. Just need to have that accomplished prior to my surgery. Overall, very good visit with her. Then I waited for Dr. Clark to come in. When he came in we discussed what I wanted (augmented look) he said because of my height and width I can handle a good CC size. He said he would take 4 implants with him into surgery and use a sizer to determine the best fit. The exact words I told him was "I would rather go bigger than smaller... I don't want to wake up and feel like I should have gone bigger". He told me not to worry and that he will have fun giving me what I wanted!

I took some before pictures with a Skims bra on and topless so that you can see mine before. When I have my surgery I'll update with more photos.

So far, very happy with this entire process.

YAY! I did it! Today is officially 24 hours post-op. From start to finish, the entire experience was absolutely better than I could have imagined. I'll give a play-by-play of what happened. I was told not to eat or drink past midnight and to come to the center with a full bladder for a pregnancy test upon arrival.

1 Nov: Received a call from the Destin Surgery center asking for medical history, and of course, they did a Covid screening. They gave me my time to arrive for surgery and details on what to wear/not wear.

2 Nov (Surgery Day): Woke up at 0500, took a shower and washed with Dial liquid soap. I left my house and arrived at the surgery center at 0600. They must open at exactly 6 am because there were a few people there waiting to go in. I had to fill out some paperwork at the surgery center, give them the contact info for my surgery buddy (driver/caretaker), and pay the remaining balance for the center and anesthesiologist. Once I did all of that, I was called back to take my pregnancy test. What I didn't realize was that it was officially starting, lol. So if you have a significant other... say see ya later at that moment when they call you back. I took the pregnancy test then was directed to my bed, where I would change completely. WEAR COTTON UNDIES! If you don't... then you'll be naked. Under the robe they give you. I wore cotton, so I got to keep my undies on, but everything else must go. I also put retainers in for piercings the night prior, and they didn't make me take them out, so that was cool. You will be given compression socks and regular nonslip socks to put on too. All of your stuff will go in a plastic bag that goes under your bed.

Now for the fun stuff. The nurse will start your IV, you'll be asked a million questions from all providers and then greeted by Dr. Clark, the Anastesiologist, OR Nurse, nurse anesthetist, and recovery nurses. The Anastesiologist explained what he would be giving me (propofol) and how before I leave for the OR, they would give me something to relax. He said I might not even remember being wheeled to the OR, which was a cool thought. I remember being wheeled there and transferring to the OR bed, but absolutely nothing after that. Dr. Clark came next, and he did the markings all over and just explained what he would be doing (same stuff from pre-op). He also gave some post-op instructions. Once I was marked up, he said he was excited and would love the outcome (and I do). I was in the preop room for probably 30-40 minutes, then the nurse anesthetist came in and said, " Okay, time to give you the good stuff. She gave me three different things in my IV then I was wheeled to the OR within 5 minutes. I started to feel really good really fast. HA. Like I said before, I remember getting in there, transferring beds, getting oxygen, and waking up in recovery!

Recovery was amazing tbh. I woke up to the nurses saying my name and asking my pain level. I don't actually know if I was in much pain or if I just felt super tight. So I didn't know how to respond to the pain question. It's a weird feeling. Either way, they gave me more pain meds to make sure I was covered. She also offered me ginger ale and water. They were seriously so great. I have zero complaints. Then they helped me get dressed and ready to be discharged. NOTE: Do not wear leggings. I didn't know I would be wearing the compression socks to leave... and they barely fit under my leggings. Just wear sweatpants or baggy pants. Trust me. They helped me into the wheelchair, and I was wheeled to my car.

First night: It was honestly not too bad. I was only in slight pain, but nothing terrible or not manageable. I was only taking Tylenol even though I was given pain medicine (I didn't want it unless I needed it truly). So I slept on my couch, propped up, and took the pain killer to go to sleep.

3 Nov: This morning, I feel actually really, really good. My pain is almost non-existent. I do have some major bloat though from everything. I'm looking like I'm 6months pregnant. HA. I will share some photos of what I look like now with the bra and throughout my progress. I have my first post-op appointment in a week.

Lastly, I got 490 CC on both sides/Mentor Xtra memory gel High Profile Sooth

Overall, 10/10 experience. I love this doctor and the team at Destin Surgery Center.