Today is Cinco de Mayo, and in our office, we’re marking the occasion with a festive potluck lunch that highlights the diverse culinary traditions we’re fortunate to share here in California. Across the country, you’ll see celebrations in restaurants, bars, and homes—an expression of the strong cultural connection between the United States and Mexico.

While many believe Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, it actually commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It’s a symbol of resilience and unity in the face of overwhelming odds. Interestingly, while the holiday is only modestly observed in Mexico, especially outside of Puebla, it has become widely celebrated in the United States as a day to honor Mexican culture and heritage.
In California, the Southwest, and Texas—areas once part of Mexico—Cinco de Mayo gives us a chance to reflect on our shared history. This rich blend of traditions, languages, foods, and values has shaped much of what we cherish today. Our cultures are deeply intertwined, and this day reminds us of the strength found in diversity.
Many of our patients, friends, and colleagues are of Hispanic heritage, and we are grateful for the trust and relationships we’ve built together over the years. Your contributions to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our country are profound and enduring.
So today, we celebrate more than a historic battle—we celebrate community, shared values, and mutual respect.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Thank you for everything you bring to our lives and to the broader American story.

Enjoying our Mexican neighbor in Cabo San Lucas with Dr. Ekstrom!

After 40 years in practice and thousands of breast surgeries, I can confidently say that breast reduction remains one of the most gratifying procedures I perform. The transformation it brings—both physically and emotionally—is often immediate and profound.

Women seek breast reduction for many reasons: chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation, difficulty finding clothes that fit, and the desire to feel more in proportion. Many patients tell me they’ve been thinking about surgery for years and wish they’d done it sooner.

Thanks to advances in surgical technique, breast reduction today is safer, quicker, and far more refined than in decades past. Blood loss is minimal, recovery is faster, and scarring is significantly improved. Most procedures use a vertical or “lollipop” incision (around the areola and straight down to the crease), or an anchor-shaped incision for larger reductions. In rare cases—particularly in very large breasts or with significant medical conditions—a free nipple graft may be necessary, where the nipple is repositioned as a skin graft rather than left attached. Another relatively rare category is a breast size reduction solely with liposuction, avoiding visible scars but leading to a limited visual improvement but often extremely satisfying to the patient.

Ideal candidates are healthy non-smokers with realistic expectations and symptoms that affect daily life. Challenging cases can include smokers, patients with obesity, or those with underlying health issues—but with proper preparation, even these patients can have excellent outcomes.

Recovery involves wearing a surgical bra, limiting upper body activity for a few weeks, and managing swelling and discomfort with prescribed care. Most patients return to normal routines within two weeks and light exercise in 3–4 weeks.

What never gets old is the joy I see in my patients after surgery—standing taller, moving more freely, and feeling more confident in their bodies. That’s why breast reduction remains one of the most satisfying parts of my work.

Join us at our new office!