Every October, as the air cools and pumpkins appear on porches, something magical happens — Halloween arrives! For one night, children and adults alike are transported into a world of imagination, creativity, and sweet nostalgia.

This year’s Halloween was particularly memorable. As ghosts, superheroes, and princesses roamed the neighborhoods in search of treats, the evening excitement was matched only by the electric energy of Game 6 of the World Series, where the Dodgers clinched a spectacular win over the Blue Jays! The joy of baseball victory mixed with the laughter of trick-or-treaters made it a night to remember for all ages.

Our phones lit up with photos of our grandchildren in Orange County, Santa Barbara, and the Boston area — each proudly showing off their costumes, from tiny witches and wizards to pint-sized athlete hot dogs and fairies. Their excitement reminded us of what makes Halloween so enchanting — it’s a celebration that bridges generations, inviting everyone to play, pretend, and connect.

Halloween’s roots trace back over two thousand years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the darker part of the year. People once believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the spirit world blurred, and they lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off wandering spirits. Over centuries, these customs blended with Christian traditions and evolved into the modern Halloween we know and love — a time for costumes, carved pumpkins, community, and candy.

What makes Halloween so beloved today is its balance of whimsy and warmth. For children, it is about the thrill of pretending to be someone else, of staying up late, and filling a candy bag to the brim. For adults, it is a chance to relive those carefree moments, to decorate homes, join costume parties, and share in the laughter of the next generation.

At Orange County Plastic Surgery, we love celebrating life’s joyful moments — and Halloween reminds us to keep a little magic in our hearts year-round.

Enjoy a few of our favorite photos from this special night — and congratulations to the Dodgers on a win worthy of Halloween magic! 🎃⚾

Our Orange County grandkids all set to go – Grandson Colton with a Dodgers temporary tattoo on his forearm.

Santa Barbara grandkids all set for the evening.

Much to the delight of many parents, many Halloween evenings ended up at home, a little earlier than usual, in front of the TV set, watching the Dodgers pull out a stunning victory in Game 6 of the World Series.

Let’s start with a quiz:

What is a “Daddy Makeover”?
A. A procedure that treats hair loss and wrinkles in men
B. A workout and diet program for middle-aged fathers
C. A combination of abdominal and chest procedures performed at the same surgery
D. A facial rejuvenation and eyelid lift
E. A liposuction procedure only

Correct answer: C — a combination of abdominal and chest procedures performed at the same surgery on a male patient.

Last week, we discussed tummy tucks in our typical female patients. This week, Dr. Bunkis and I performed two team surgery body contouring procedures on male patients — one a tummy tuck, the other a full body lift — a reminder that men, too, want to look their best and feel confident about their bodies.

I’ve been performing body contouring procedures for 40 years, and while the majority of patients have traditionally been women, the percentage of men seeking improvement is steadily increasing. Men can accumulate extra fat around the abdomen, love handles, and chest. These areas often resist diet and exercise, but can be effectively treated with liposuction or excisional surgery to create a leaner, more athletic appearance. The recent popularity of Ozempic and other injectables designed to make weight loss easier has also increased the number of male weight loss patients we have been seeing.

After significant weight loss, men may also experience loose, hanging skin of the abdomen or trunk. In such cases, a tummy tuck or body lift can remove the excess tissue and tighten the abdominal wall, restoring a firmer contour. For men with both abdominal fullness and excess chest tissue, a “Daddy Makeover” can combine a tummy tuck or liposuction with male breast reduction (gynecomastia surgery) during the same session.

Good candidates for male body contouring are healthy, close to their ideal weight, and nonsmokers who maintain a stable lifestyle and exercise habits. Patients with significant underlying health issues, poor skin elasticity, or unrealistic expectations may not be ideal candidates until these concerns are addressed.

At Orange County Plastic Surgery, we offer individualized surgical plans for our male patients, using refined techniques, advanced anesthesia, and meticulous attention to scar placement. The goal is always natural, masculine results — restoring confidence and helping our male patients look as energetic and youthful as they feel.

This 45-year-old relatively fit male, fit female disliked his abdominal wall and love handles. He is shown here before and after a liposuction of the abdominal wall and posterior flanks (“love handles”) with this pleasing result. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.)

Male in his early 60’s who has struggled all of his adult life with weight control, finally got is weight to an acceptable level with Ozempic but disliked his skin laxity. He is shown here and after an abdominoplasty with liposuction of the love handle areas to give him this pleasing result. (Actual team surgery patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom and Dr. Juris Bunkis of Orange County Plastic Surgery.)

This male in his mid-40’s presented with gynecomastia and truncal skin excess following a 90 pound weight loss following a strict diet and exercise program. He is shown here following a Daddy Makeover consisting of gynecomastia surgery and abdominoplasty to get this stellar result. (Actual patient of Dr. Juris Bunkis of Orange County Plastic Surgery.)

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.
Free Parking Available.