MedEsthetics magazines offers business education and in-depth coverage of the latest noninvasive cosmetic procedures for physicians and practice managers working in the medical aesthetics industry.
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42 JULY/AUGUST 2015 | Med Esthetics began publishing—his most recent work, on his unique facelift technique, is pending publication in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Dr. O'Connell also recently won his 14 th consecutive Castle Connolly "Top Doctor" award. Like many plastic surgeons, he started out doing recon- structive work, relying upon his training at Cornell and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he gained comprehensive experience in breast reconstruction. But his passion and interests remained in aesthetic surgery. About 15 years ago, the national mandate for the accreditation of offi ce-based surgery centers combined with decreasing insurance reimbursement rates cre- ated the perfect storm for Dr. O'Connell, and he had an epiphany. He decided that he was through with insurance and would now deliver care on his own terms, and that meant a switch to full-time aesthetic surgery. A One-Stop Aesthetics Center Because of the sizable costs to build and outfi t a surgical facility, Dr. O'Connell decided that he would no longer rent. He instead chose to purchase a property that he could customize to his needs. His vision was to create a facility that offered the full spectrum of aesthetic treat- ments—from hair and makeup to noninvasive medical aesthetic treatments and cosmetic plastic surgery. "I was very fortunate to fi nd a wonderful venue on Post Road in Westport that actually had been a surgery center," he says. "It's a 6,700-square-foot freestanding building. The entire fi rst fl oor was operating rooms supported administratively by the upper two fl oors." He decided to remodel the building and open a new outpatient surgical facility on the second fl oor that is accredited by the Amer- ican Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). "And because we're in Connecticut, we're also state licensed," says Dr. O'Connell. In addition to the surgical suite, the second fl oor in cludes consult/exam rooms, a waiting area and adminis tra tive offi ces, including Dr. O'Connell's private offi ce. The third fl oor is a noninvasive aesthetic center with care delivered in a spa-like environment. Offerings include a variety of laser services, IPL and SilkPeel microdermabrasion. "We have the Fraxel Dual and Sciton Joule platform, and all patients are offered a Visia complexion analysis at no charge," he says. "We have a conference room and a dedicated CoolSculpting room." Dr. O'Connell performs the deeper laser resurfacing procedures while his full-time RN, who has been with the practice for over a decade, performs laser hair removal, IPL, micro laser peels and Fraxel Dual treatments under his on-site supervision. When it comes to injectables, Dr. O'Connell feels strongly a physician should deliver these treatments. "It's all about education, training and the quality of the result— that's why I personally inject all the Botox and fi llers and, of course, perform the surgeries," he says. "I don't understand doctors who think they're 'too busy' to personally do the injectables. They're literally giving their practices away." In keeping with his focus on elective aesthetic care, Dr. O'Connell wants his patients to have a fi ve-star experi- ence from start to fi nish. The practice's property is so meticulously manicured that it received a beautifi cation award from the Town of Westport. There's ample free parking and two hidden, private entrances for those who wish to bypass the waiting area. "We fl ew in a well-known designer from Michigan to decorate the top two fl oors, and it's probably over the top. You won't feel like you're in a doctor's offi ce; you'll feel like you're in somebody's living room," he says. "It's silver chandeliers, comfortable furniture, commissioned artwork and we commonly have two reception personnel at the desk because I don't want my patients waiting for anything." Complementary Aesthetic Care "Aesthetic surgery is neither form nor function alone but rather a natural, harmonious and subtle blending of the two," says Dr. O'Connell. In keeping with this philosophy, he feels that it is important for a plastic surgeon to learn PICTURE THIS Makeup artist Gail Sagel, plastic surgeon Joseph O'Connell, MD, and hairstylist Anthony DeMatteo work within one facility to provide comprehensive aesthetic care. M a k J os e De M co m