How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon in Pensacola: 5 Must-Ask Questions

Selecting a plastic surgeon is one of the most personal decisions you will ever make. In Pensacola, we are fortunate to have several skilled options, but how do you know which practice is the right fit for your body and your goals?

Before you book your consultation, ensure your prospective surgeon meets these 2026 standards of excellence:

1. Can You See Your Results Before Surgery?

The biggest fear for breast augmentation patients is waking up "too big" or "too small." In the past, surgeons relied on "sizers" in a bra. Today, the gold standard is VECTRA® 3D Imaging .

• The GCPS Advantage: At Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, we use 3D simulations of your actual body to show you exactly how different implant sizes and shapes will look on you, removing the guesswork from the process.

2. Is it a Solo Practice or a Collaborative Team?

A solo practitioner is a "jack of all trades." However, a multi-surgeon team allows for specialization and collaboration.

• The GCPS Advantage: With Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, and Dr. Patterson , you aren't just getting one set of eyes. Our surgeons collaborate on standards, complex cases, pain management protocols, and much more, ensuring you benefit from a collective century of surgical expertise.

The other reality is that three surgeons practicing together are able to provide more advanced technology and a larger support staff to ensure you have the latest technology and the most qualified support. 

3. Are they Board Certified, and what experience do they have?

• All three surgeons at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. They are also members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). 

Jocelyn Leveque, MD, FACS, provides a unique, female-centric approach to aesthetic surgery, helping patients achieve natural results with an understanding of the female form that only another woman can provide.

Both Dr. Leveque and Peter N. Butler, MD, FACS, were founders of Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery and have been practicing for more than 25 years. 

Nathan Patterson, MD, FACS, has been a Board Certified plastic surgeon for almost 20 years. 

All three have performed thousands of surgeries and maintain an almost impossible 4.9 rating from certified patients. 

4. Where is the Surgery Performed?

Safety should never be a secondary concern. Ask if your surgeon operates in a private, accredited facility or a high-traffic hospital.

• The GCPS Advantage: We utilize our own state-of-the-art, accredited outpatient surgery center, providing a private, sterile, and calming environment designed specifically for cosmetic procedures. 

This is a KEY advantage! Our outpatient surgery center has plenty of parking right out front to ensure you are not driving around looking for parking on a day when you may already be feeling stressed. We also have a quiet, comfortable waiting room. 

After your procedure, we have a covered circle drive for easy transition to your vehicle. Our trained nursing team will help you leave the center and get into your car.

5. What is the "Recovery Protocol"?

The "Best" surgeon isn't just the one with the best steady hand; it’s the one with the best post-op care. 

• The GCPS Advantage: We utilize advanced "Rapid Recovery " protocols to reduce the need for opioid pain management to get our Pensacola patients back to their daily lives faster and more comfortably. Currently, we are the only team in our area offering ESP Nerve blocks for plastic surgery. 

The Bottom Line: Don’t settle for a "good" surgeon when you can have a team of specialists supported by the latest technology. Whether you are considering another surgeon locally or traveling for care, we encourage you to seek a second opinion and see the Gulf Coast Difference for yourself.