As I write this from Cabo San Lucas, our brief but wonderful four-day vacation is drawing to an end. It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since our last visit — and even harder to understand why we stayed away so long.

Cabo has everything one could wish for in a quick getaway: it’s only a short two-and-a-half-hour flight from Orange County, offers beautiful weather and beaches, and feels remarkably safe. Everyone speaks English, U.S. dollars and credit cards are accepted everywhere, and the hospitality is top-notch.

I will have to admit, we take advantage of the non-existent immigration and custom’s line for diplomats coming into Mexico, and usually, especially with Global Entry, getting through the line coming at John Wayne Airport takes very little time.

The dining scene here is spectacular. Our favorite restaurant, Sunset Monalisa, features not only breathtaking views of Cabo but also world-class food, live music by talented singers, and exceptional service. Between great meals, pristine resorts, and endless sunshine, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with this place.

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed catching tuna, dorado, and marlin. This time, however, our fishing trip produced more “stories” than fish — but the snorkeling more than made up for it! We saw some beautiful whales on our fishing trip. We also found time to relax under an umbrella with good books in hand, simply soaking up the peace and beauty of the setting.

Cabo is truly the perfect place to chill, recharge, and return home refreshed. Something tells us we won’t wait another three years before our next visit — our bet is on March!

Fishing trip with Dr. Ekstrom, passing the iconic Land’s End rock formation.

After snorkeling at Pelican Rock.

Soprano Claudia Puebla, serenading us at our table at Monalisa, with the Cabo San Lucas skyline in the background.

Let’s start with a quiz:

What is the primary goal of a setback otoplasty?
A. To make the ears smaller
B. To reduce hearing sensitivity
C. To move prominent ears closer to the head for a more natural appearance
D. To tighten the earlobes
E. To remove cartilage from the ear tip

Correct answer: C — to move prominent ears closer to the head for a more natural appearance.

Protruding ears can cause significant self-consciousness, especially in children, but also in adults who may have spent years trying to hide their ears with hairstyles or hats. The good news? Otoplasty — sometimes called “ear setback surgery” — offers big results from a little procedure.

Candidates for otoplasty include anyone with prominent ears, asymmetrical ears, or ears that have lost shape due to trauma or prior surgery. Children as young as five or six can be considered, once the ear cartilage has matured, but adults of any age can benefit as well.

The desire to correct prominent ears isn’t new. The first documented otoplasty procedures date back to the late 19th century, when surgeons began reshaping ear cartilage to create a more natural contour. Over the decades, techniques have evolved significantly — today’s procedures are safe, refined, and produce predictable, long-lasting results.

Modern otoplasty typically involves sculpting and repositioning the ear cartilage through a small incision behind the ear. At Orange County Plastic Surgery, we tailor the procedure to each patient’s anatomy and goals, using gentle and precise methods to achieve a balanced, symmetrical, and natural appearance. The procedure can be done comfortably under local anesthesia with oral sedation for many adults, or a light general anesthetic for children or anxious patients. Most surgeries take about an hour and a half, and recovery is straightforward — most people return to work or school within a week.

The best part? The results are life-long. Once the cartilage is reshaped and secured, the ears maintain their new position permanently.

Whether for a child starting school or an adult ready to shed years of self-consciousness, otoplasty offers a subtle but powerful transformation — restoring balance, harmony, and confidence to the face.

This is a 55 year old male disliked the prominence of his ears, especially while wearing sunglasses. After his otoplasty, the patient was pleased with his results. (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.