Life in California truly is a privilege—and every now and then, Dr. Ekstrom and I pause to remind ourselves just how fortunate we are to live here. Yes, there’s no denying that we Californians pay higher taxes and navigate a maze of regulations that can make even the most patient among us sigh. But then the sun rises, the air is soft and warm, the sun sets over the Pacific and we realize that this lifestyle—this climate, this beauty—is worth every bit of it.

Dr. Ekstrom recently made the move from Massachusetts to Southern California, and she’s quickly learning to appreciate the unique rhythm of life here. Back east, fall means pulling on sweaters, raking leaves, and preparing for months of bitter cold and miserable snow. Here in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach, October means something entirely different—it’s gardening season!

This past week, we took advantage of our warm, sunny days (in the upper 70s, no less) to plant our winter garden. That’s right—winter garden. While much of the country will soon be covered in frost, we’re watching seedlings stretch toward the California sun.

We filled our raised beds with cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts—cool-weather crops that thrive here this time of year. We also sowed seeds for string beans, carrots, beets, and radishes, and within just a few days, the first tender sprouts had already appeared. It’s always a small thrill to see life push up from the soil, a reminder of how resilient and generous nature can be in this part of the world.

Both of us find great joy in gardening. It is grounding, creative, and deeply satisfying to harvest food you’ve grown yourself. The crisp sweetness of a freshly picked beet or the peppery bite of a radish somehow tastes even better when you have nurtured it from seed. And being able to do so year-round is a privilege we don’t take for granted.

So while others are scraping windshields and shoveling snow, we will be tending to our greens, enjoying fresh vegetables from our backyard, and savoring every sunny California day. Life here certainly comes with its costs—but for us, the rewards are immeasurable.

Here’s to another California winter filled with sunshine, good health, and the simple pleasures of growing—and living—well.

Dr. Ekstrom loading up her car at Green Thumb Nursery.

The seedlings hitting the ground.

One of our vegetable beds, one week later.

Let’s start with a quiz:

Gynecomastia refers to:
A) Enlargement of the male testicles
B) Enlargement of male breast tissue
C) Excess fat on the chest without glandular tissue
D) A congenital chest wall deformity
E) Enlargement of the pectoral muscles from weightlifting

Correct answer: B) Enlargement of male breast tissue

Having been in practice for nearly 40 years, I can say that requests for gynecomastia surgery—male breast reduction—are far more common today than when I began doing such surgery. But this isn’t a new concern. In fact, one of my favorite examples is a statue in the Worcester Museum of Art depicting an Egyptian warrior who clearly shows signs of gynecomastia. So while the condition is ancient, today’s patients are simply more aware of it and of the fact that there’s an effective solution. Public education through the internet has played a big role in that progress.

Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of breast tissue in men, often caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. It can appear at any age—from puberty to later adulthood—and may be triggered by puberty, medications, anabolic steroid use, certain medical conditions, or simply genetic predisposition. In many young men, it resolves on its own, but in others, it persists and becomes a lifelong source of self-consciousness.

Clinically, gynecomastia ranges from a small, firm disc of tissue beneath the nipple to fully developed breasts resembling those of a female. For mild cases of fatty origin, liposuction alone may remove the excess fatty tissue. When there’s a significant amount of glandular tissue or skin excess, surgical excision of the gland, often through a small incision at the edge of the areola, provides a flatter, more masculine chest contour. In advanced cases, both excision and skin tightening may be needed.

The best candidates for surgical correction are men in good general health whose breast enlargement has remained stable and is not due to an ongoing medical issue or medication. Once treated, the improvement is typically permanent, especially if patients maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.

What’s most rewarding for me as a surgeon is witnessing the change in confidence that follows this procedure. Many men who once avoided swimming, fitted shirts, or intimate situations regain a natural ease and self-assurance.

I am a female plastic surgeon, one of the early females to establish an aesthetic practice in Massachusetts and now in Orange County. As a female, I have seen many patients for breast, labia and body issues who have told me that they preferred seeing me because I was a female. But for some reason that is a mystery to me, I have had a large percentage of male patients with this problem who have chosen me to be their surgeon. Whatever the reason, I am honored by their trust in me!

Gynecomastia surgery is a small operation with a big impact—restoring not only the chest’s appearance, but often a man’s sense of self.

Statue of ancient warrior at the Worcester Museum of Art

28-year-old male with gynecomastia, shown here before and after an open resection of excess breast tissue through an incision around the edge of the areolus. The patient was ecstatic about this pleasing result. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.)

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.