Choosing America: An Immigrant's Gratitude on Our Nation's 250th Birthday
By Dr. Juris Bunkis
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Southern California
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
As Americans celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday, I found myself reflecting on the remarkable journey that brought me here and on the opportunities this country has provided to millions of people from around the world.
I was not born in the United States. I was born in a refugee camp in Germany shortly after World War II, following my family’s escape from Latvia during one of Europe’s darkest chapters. In 1951, we immigrated to Canada, where I grew up and eventually graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1974.
After medical school, I made a life-changing decision: I moved to the United States to pursue my surgical training. I spent seven wonderful years as a resident at Columbia and Harvard Universities. One of my fondest memories remains the Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. I was on call at Massachusetts General Hospital that evening and stood on the hospital roof, watching the spectacular fireworks over the Charles River while listening to Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops performing at the Hatch Memorial Shell. Even then, I sensed that I was witnessing something very special—a nation proudly celebrating its history and its ideals.
Following my residency, I accepted a teaching position at the University of California, San Francisco. By that point, I realized I had found my home. I knew I would not be returning to Canada, and I took the necessary steps to become an American citizen. I chose America.
That choice has never been one I regretted.
The United States remains a land of extraordinary opportunity. It rewards hard work, encourages innovation, protects freedom of speech and religion, and welcomes people from every corner of the globe. Our universities attract the world’s brightest minds. Our entrepreneurial spirit drives discovery and progress. Most importantly, America offers the promise that each generation can build a better life than the one before it.
Like any nation, we have challenges and disagreements, but our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and our shared commitment to liberty continue to unite us.
The 250th anniversary of American independence is more than a birthday celebration. It is an opportunity to remember the courage and vision of those who founded this nation and to appreciate the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
For those of us who chose to become Americans, the Fourth of July carries a particularly deep meaning. It celebrates not only a nation’s independence, but also the enduring hope that people from all backgrounds can come here, contribute, succeed, and proudly call this remarkable country home.
Happy 250th birthday, America!
One of my favorite July 4th memories – in 1986, my parents visited from Canada and are shown here with my son, Justin, at a July 4th parade in Piedmont, CA
Daughter Jessica at a July 4th event in 1990
AlloClae® - The New Frontier in Non-Surgical Fat Enhancement
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
AlloClae® Quiz: What is the biggest advantage of AlloClae® compared with traditional fat grafting?
A. It requires a hospital stay
B. It eliminates the need to harvest fat from the patient
C. It requires general anesthesia
D. It produces immediate weight loss
E. It is only used for facial procedures
Correct Answer: B. It eliminates the need to harvest fat from the patient.
One of the most exciting advances in body contouring is the introduction of AlloClae®, an FDA-regulated structural adipose filler designed to restore volume and improve contour without the need for liposuction or surgery.
I have been very favorably impressed by the results I have been achieving with AlloClae® injections in appropriately selected patients. For many individuals, particularly those who are naturally thin and fit, traditional fat grafting presents a challenge because there simply is not enough excess fat available for harvesting. AlloClae® solves that problem.
AlloClae® consists of purified, sterilized human donor fat cells along with an extracellular matrix rich in proteins and collagen. This natural framework acts as a scaffold that supports tissue integration and stimulates collagen production and regeneration as it becomes incorporated into the body.
One of the greatest advantages is convenience. Treatments are performed in the office without the need for an operating room, anesthesia, or recovery associated with liposuction and fat transfer procedures. Patients can typically return to normal activities much more quickly than after traditional surgery.
The applications are numerous. AlloClae® can be used to smooth hip dips, improve contour irregularities following liposuction, add volume to the breasts, and even help correct implant rippling or asymmetry. It can also provide modest enhancement to the buttocks as a non-surgical alternative to a Brazilian Butt Lift.
As with any cosmetic procedure, patient selection is important. AlloClae® is particularly cost-effective for treating smaller contour deficiencies and areas requiring moderate volume enhancement. Larger areas, such as substantial buttock augmentation, may require multiple syringes and can become relatively expensive compared with traditional surgical options.
The beauty of modern aesthetic medicine is that we now have more choices than ever before. Some patients are best served with surgery, while others can achieve their goals with minimally invasive treatments performed right in the office.
Have questions?
If you have concerns about volume loss, contour irregularities, implant rippling, or simply wish to explore non-surgical enhancement options, I invite you to schedule a consultation. Together, we can determine whether AlloClae® injections may be the right solution for you.
Patient shown here before and after a 150 cc injection of AlloClae® into each buttocks to give some firmness and to minimize skin laxity.
Orange County Plastic Surgery at CosmetiCare
1101 Bayside Drive, Suite 200
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Take the elevator to the second floor (Suite 200) and check in with the front desk for your consultation or follow-up.
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