Why Dr. O’Connell Chooses IDEAL IMPLANT® Over Gummy Bear Implants

by | Dec 9, 2020 | Plastic Surgeon Feature


With over 35 years of surgical experience in facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and aesthetic breast surgery, Dr. Joseph O’Connell is one of the best plastic surgeons in Fairfield County. At Total Aesthetics in Westport, Connecticut, Dr. O’Connell’s ultimate goal is to give his patients a natural and unoperated look while boosting their self-confidence. If you’ve heard about gummy bear implants and want to know more about your options for breast augmentation, Dr. O’Connell is the expert to see! Dr. O’Connell is an IDEAL IMPLANT® Premier Surgeon due to his extensive expertise working with the latest technology in breast augmentation: IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implants.

Education and Experience

Many patients from all over the United States come to see Dr. O’ Connell due to his considerable experience and unparalleled education. He is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College and performed his plastic surgery training at the prestigious New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, Dr. O’Connell dedicates his practice entirely to aesthetic surgery. 

He has been honored by his peers as a Castle Connolly New York Metro Area “Top Doctor” for 16 consecutive years, and was also recognized by New York Magazine as one of the city’s Best Doctors in 2018. In addition to these accolades, Dr. O’Connell also served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bridgeport Hospital (a Yale affiliate) for seven years, and he was the youngest plastic surgical chief in their history. 

Dr. O’Connell has published articles on facelift surgery, eyelid surgery and breast surgery. His article on the BiDirectional Facelift was the lead article in the September 2015 issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal and his most recent article on the subject of drainless abdominoplasty, was published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2018.

Options for Breast Augmentation: Gummy Bear Implants vs. IDEAL IMPLANT

Breast augmentation is still the number one cosmetic surgery in the U.S., with just under 300,000 procedures performed in 2019. Women who want to achieve their ideal breast symmetry and overall body proportion go to Dr. O’Connell so they can get the size, contour, and shape they want. On the market today there are three main types of implants women can choose from: silicone gel breast implants, unstructured saline breast implants, and the new structured breast implant: The IDEAL IMPLANT. 

You may be thinking, “What about gummy bear implants?” Gummy bear implants also fall under the silicone gel category , but the gel inside is more firm and highly cohesive than other silicone gel models. Some women like the gummy bear implants because they tend to retain their shape, however, all types of silicone gel implants come with some safety concerns of which you should be aware.

Silent Rupture in Silicone Gel Implants

While silicone gel breast implants look and feel like natural breast tissue, they are filled with sticky silicone gel that is not natural to your body. If an implant tears or ruptures, the silicone gel can slowly leak out and get into your surrounding body tissue. This can cause complications such as capsular contracture.

“The formation of a “capsule” of scar tissue around any kind of implant is a normal part of the healing process. . . In some patients, however, this capsule of scar tissue becomes unusually hard and starts to contract around the implant.  Ruptured implants are the most common cause of late-onset capsular contraction.” -from plasticsurgery.org

It is very difficult to tell if a silicone gel implant has ruptured by physically looking at it, thus the term “silent rupture” is used to describe this occurrence. Because of silent rupture, the FDA recommends patients with silicone gel breast implants receive MRIs every 2-3 years to try and detect the rupture so the ruptured implant can be removed and replaced . Most insurance companies do not cover breast augmentation, and won’t pay for these expensive MRIs either. In a 2017 Independent Survey, “Women’s Preferences in Breast Implants,” 98% of women reported they would be concerned about silent rupture with silicone gel implants. 

What Makes the IDEAL IMPLANT Unique

Because of silent rupture concerns, Dr. O’Connell has not used any silicone gel breast implants, (including gummy bear implants), since the year 2017. Dr. O’Connell currently performs breast augmentation exclusively with the FDA-approved IDEAL IMPLANT.

“Clinical advantages of the IDEAL IMPLANT are lower rupture and capsular contracture rates, higher rupture strength, and ability to place and remove the implant via a small incision. Because the IDEAL IMPLANT contains  a saline-based solution, there is no risk of silicone gel in adjacent tissues, no silent ruptures, and no need for MRI scans to evaluate implant integrity.” –Dr. Joseph O’Connell

The IDEAL IMPLANT can grant women the peace of mind they seek when it comes to their breast implants. It allows women to have a beautiful, natural look with the safety of only saline inside. Saline solution is  absorbed by the body without any health risks, so if a rupture does occur, you can get the implant replaced at your convenience. Unlike unstructured  saline implants where the saline solution tends to slosh around, the IDEAL IMPLANT has layers of nested shells that keep the saline in place. The IDEAL IMPLANT also has a very similar feel to a silicone gel implant, so you won’t have to worry about it feeling unnatural. 

At your confidential consultation, Dr. O’Connell will go over the goals you hope to achieve with breast augmentation, and discuss the details of the procedure. Often women who have existing silicone gel implants come into the office to have them replaced with the IDEAL IMPLANT. This procedure is fairly quick, and done without general anesthesia. At Dr. O’Connell’s practice, Total Aesthetics, you’ll also have access to an on-premises, nationally accredited, surgical suite, so you can undergo your procedure without having to travel to a separate hospital.

Select Dr. O’Connell for Your Cosmetic Surgery

Many of Dr. O’Connell’s patients who were originally considering gummy bear implants for their breast augmentation ultimately choose the IDEAL IMPLANT for all of the unique benefits it offers. As an Ideal Implant Premier Surgeon, Dr. O’Connell has the expertise necessary to achieve beautiful, natural results. At Dr. O’Connell’s office you’ll feel welcome and listened to no matter which procedure you choose.

“. . . Dr. O’Connell himself was personable, skilled, experienced and I felt comfortable to allow him to conduct such a delicate procedure. I would absolutely recommend his office and qualifications.” –Google Review from Brianna A.

Considering breast implants in Westport, CT? Contact Dr. O’Connell today to discuss your options. Simply call (203) 814-1724 or visit plasticsurgeryct.com. Dr. O’Connell’s office is located at 208 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880. Call today for more information on IDEAL IMPLANT® Structured Breast Implants.