A Speech That Changed My Life
By Dr. Juris Bunkis
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Southern California
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress and challenged America to do something many considered impossible: land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade was over.
Today, sixty-five years later, that speech remains one of the most inspiring moments of the twentieth century – I remember it vividly!
I was a young boy, fascinated by science and mathematics, growing up during the height of the Cold War and the early space race. As a refugee from Eastern Europe, I watched with disappointment as the Soviet Union repeatedly took the lead with Sputnik and other early space achievements. To many around the world, it appeared the Soviets were destined to dominate space exploration.
Then came President Kennedy’s speech.
Suddenly, America was no longer reacting. America was leading.
Kennedy’s challenge stirred optimism throughout the country. It created a sense of national ambition and purpose unlike anything many of us had ever witnessed. Scientists, engineers, pilots, mathematicians, and students were inspired to dream bigger. Universities expanded engineering and science programs. Technological innovation accelerated at an astonishing pace. What seemed impossible suddenly became achievable.
For me personally, that speech changed the direction of my life.
I became determined to become an aeronautical engineer. I devoured books about aviation, rockets, and space exploration. Like millions of Americans, I followed every Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo mission with excitement.
Then came July of 1969. I still remember watching Neil Armstrong step onto the moon on a small, grainy black-and-white television set in a hotel room in Iron Bridge, Ontario. It was hard to believe that only eight years earlier, Kennedy had made what sounded like an impossible promise — and America had actually accomplished it.
Life, however, sometimes takes unexpected turns.
My path toward aeronautical engineering eventually gave way to medicine, surgery, and ultimately a rewarding career in plastic surgery — something for which I remain deeply grateful. Yet my fascination with aviation never disappeared.
While training as a general surgery resident in 1976, I began flying lessons and earned my pilot’s license. Over the years, I added an instrument rating, commercial pilot certification, and eventually a jet type rating. I have owned five aircraft, including an Eclipse jet that I sold only last year.
Looking back, I realize that much of this lifelong passion for aviation and flight can be traced back to one remarkable speech delivered by President Kennedy in 1961.
Sometimes a few inspiring words truly can change a life.
My first plane was a Piper Saratoga, N4170V, in 2000.
Long story, but my Saratoga was involved in a propeller shaft recall in 2002 and I was told I would be without my plane for a YEAR! To keep myself current and to satisfy my need to fly, I purchased a Cessna 172. Taking my daughter, Jessica, and a friend to Las Vegas in 2002.
Suited up for Top Gun experience in a German-built “Extra 300L”, a world-class unlimited aerobatic aircraft, in Arizona, 2004 .
The Saratoga was a great airplane but it was not turbocharged or pressurized – which meant that oxygen masks had to be worn above ten thousand feet and it did not climb as high or go as fast. Enter this beautiful Piper Malibu, N561V, which allowed me to take cross country flights at higher altitudes, faster and in a comfortable pressurized cabin.
In 2007, I transitioned to jet aircraft. As part of my flight training, I flew this Czech made L-39 and trained with a Boeing 767 simulator at the United training facility in Denver and the Eclipse flight simulator in Albuquerque, NM, as well as in my new Eclipse.
In 2007, I purchased this Eclipse Jet, N457TB, shown here refueling in the Cayman Islands. That beauty took us all over the US, Caymans, Mexico and Canada. It was a great ride while it lasted.
Secondary Facelifts: When Time Marches On
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Quiz: Which statement about secondary (redo) facelift surgery is TRUE?
A. Most patients are too old for a second facelift
B. A facelift stops the aging process permanently
C. Secondary facelifts are usually impossible because of scar tissue
D. The goal of a secondary facelift is often refinement rather than dramatic change
E. Secondary facelifts always look less natural than first facelifts
Correct Answer: D
Most secondary facelift patients are looking for refinement and rejuvenation — not a completely different appearance.
In fact, just three days ago, I performed a secondary facelift on Dr. Juris Bunkis himself!
Dr. Bunkis had undergone his original facelift approximately fifteen years ago. It served him remarkably well, and he still looked excellent for his age. However, as happens with all of us, time continued its steady march forward. Gradually, he began noticing increased neck laxity, some recurrent jowling, and loss of jawline definition. Simply put, he wanted to look a little more refreshed and rested again.
This is exactly the type of patient who may benefit from a secondary facelift.
After a facelift, patients will look ten to twenty years younger, for the rest of their lives, but the aging process continues. One of the biggest misconceptions about facelift surgery is that it somehow “wears off.” A well-performed facelift can continue to look good for ten to twenty years, but it does not stop the natural aging process. Skin continues to lose elasticity, facial tissues descend, and volume changes occur over time.
Good candidates for a redo facelift are generally healthy individuals who:
- previously had a successful facelift
- continue to have good skin quality
- notice recurrent jowling or neck laxity
- want natural rejuvenation rather than dramatic change
- maintain realistic expectations
Secondary facelifts can actually be extremely satisfying procedures, but they do present unique technical challenges for the surgeon.
Scar tissue from prior surgery must be carefully managed. Hairlines and sideburns require meticulous attention so they are not pulled unnaturally high or distorted. Skin circulation may be somewhat altered from previous surgery, requiring careful tissue handling. Achieving a refreshed appearance while maintaining a completely natural look becomes even more important the second time around.
The good news is that modern facelift techniques often allow secondary procedures to heal beautifully. Recovery is frequently easier than patients expect because they already understand the process and swelling may actually be less pronounced than after the initial surgery.
At Orange County Plastic Surgery, our philosophy is never to make patients look “operated on.” The best facelift — whether primary or secondary — simply helps patients look like the best version of themselves.
And fortunately for Dr. Bunkis, despite being only three days postoperative as I write this article, he is already looking remarkably good and back at work!
If you are considering a secondary facelift, it may be time to see Dr. Ekstrom for a consultation to go over your options and come up with a plan to help you.
This 67-year female from Texas, who looked much younger than her stated age following a prior facelift 15 years earlier, sought consultation at Orange County Plastic Surgery with regards to further facial rejuvenation. She is shown here before and after a secondary facelift, a brow lift and lip microfat grafting by Dr. Juris Bunkis to give her this refreshed appearance, which she loves.
Dr. Ekstrom wheeling her patient out to the car on Friday.
My second surgical patient from Friday, on Saturday morning, 20 hours after surgery
Dr. Bunkis after his dressings came off and drains were removed Saturday morning, on day following a secondary facelift, lower lid blepharoplasty and acid peel to a number of hyperpigmented areas. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona del Mar/Newport Beach.)
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.
