Orange County – a Hub for the Intellectually Curious
By Dr. Juris Bunkis, Medical Director, Orange County Plastic Surgery Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia
Living in Orange County offers far more than sunshine, beautiful beaches, and world-class golf courses. One of the great joys of living here is the abundance of intellectual and cultural opportunities available to us every week. In just the past few days, Deborah and I attended a Broadway musical at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a wonderful play at the Laguna Playhouse, and two events hosted by the World Affairs Council—one in Los Angeles and another here in Orange County. Each outing was made even more special by sharing a wonderful dinner beforehand with friends.
When people talk about retirement, I often hear dreams of quiet beach towns or golf communities where life slows down. While those places certainly have their appeal, I suspect I would quickly miss the intellectual stimulation and vibrant conversations we are fortunate to enjoy here in Southern California.
One organization that consistently delivers that stimulation is the World Affairs Council. Founded more than a century ago during the aftermath of World War I, the World Affairs Council movement was created to foster informed discussion about global issues and international relations. Today, independent chapters exist throughout the United States, including active councils in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
The events hosted by these councils are remarkable. Speakers range from ambassadors and diplomats to journalists, military leaders, economists, and scholars. Topics often span geopolitics, international trade, emerging technologies, global health, and environmental challenges. For those of us who enjoy staying engaged with the world beyond our immediate surroundings, these evenings are enormously rewarding.
But what makes the experience especially memorable is the audience itself. Attendees are often individuals deeply involved in international business, academia, public policy, and diplomacy. Conversations before and after the presentations can be as stimulating as the talks themselves. The question-and-answer periods are lively, thoughtful, and sometimes surprisingly candid, creating an environment where curiosity and respectful debate thrive.
For anyone looking to expand their intellectual horizons while meeting fascinating people, I cannot recommend the World Affairs Council highly enough. It is a reminder that even in a place known for its beaches and sunshine, Orange County also offers a thriving community of thinkers, learners, and globally minded citizens.
Not only interesting people and presentations but also architecture and places of interest are associated with World Affairs Council events. This is the entrance to property at 1740 Green Acres Drive in Beverly Hills, one of the most historically significant private estates in Southern California. Known as “Greenacres,” the estate of silent film star Harold Lloyd Estate, was built in 1926. The LA WAC has arranged an annual reception at this location for the Los Angeles Consular Corps here for the last few years – I have very fond memories of this place!
Small Changes, Big Confidence: The Power of Subtle Refinement
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Quick Quiz
Let’s begin with a quick quiz.
Which of the following procedures can produce a dramatic improvement in how a patient feels about their appearance?
A. Removing a large nasal hump
B. Performing a full facelift
C. Liposuction of a heavy neck
D. Injecting a single cc of lip filler
E. All of the above
The correct answer is E — all of the above.
When most people think about plastic surgery, they picture dramatic before-and-after photographs: large nasal humps being removed, significant neck fat suctioned away, or major facial rejuvenation procedures. While those transformations can be remarkable, some of the most meaningful improvements we see in our practice come from far more subtle changes.
Sometimes a patient comes to us with a concern that others may barely notice, yet it has bothered them for years. Addressing that small issue can have an outsized impact on their confidence and happiness.
For example, adding just one cubic centimeter of filler to the lips can restore balance and symmetry that a patient has long desired. To an outside observer, the change may be quite subtle or even not noticeable—but to the patient, it can feel transformative.
Another example is the lip lift procedure. As we age, the upper lip can gradually lengthen so that the upper teeth are no longer visible when smiling. A simple in-office procedure that shortens the lip by just a few millimeters can reveal more of the natural pink lip and restore the youthful appearance of teeth showing when smiling.
Similarly, we often see patients whose noses are already quite attractive but have a tiny irregularity along the bridge. Removing just one or two millimeters from the nasal dorsum can create a beautifully refined profile.
The same principle applies to the neck. While some patients require significant liposuction, others may need only a few tablespoons of fat removed to achieve a cleaner, more defined jawline.
The moral of the story is simple: plastic surgery does not always need to be dramatic to be meaningful. Sometimes the smallest refinements—carefully tailored to the individual—can produce the greatest boost in confidence and satisfaction.
This female in her 20’s sought consultation with Dr. Ekstrom with regards to her thin lips. She is shown here before and immediately after a single cc injection of Restylane Kysse lip filler and was very pleased with her results. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona De Mar/Newport Beach.)
This female in her late 40’s was developing mid cheek grooves, one of the earlier signs of facial aging. She sought consultation with Newport Beach fat grafting expert, Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery and underwent a microfat grafting procedure, in the office under local anesthesia, for this pleasing result. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.)
This 22-year-old female had a minor dorsal hump and minor tip fullness. She sought consultation with Newport Beach rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenation expert, Dr. Juris Bunkis or Orange County Plastic Surgery. Dr. Bunkis performed a closed rhinoplasty, during which he shaved a mm or two off her nasal dorsum and thinned her tip to give her this pleasing result. The patient was thrilled with her improvement but was surprised that no one else noticed that she had had surgery! (Actual patient of Dr. Juris Bunkis.)
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.
If you want to see if you can have any part of your body improved, contact us for a consultation:
For CA, please call 949-888-9700 or visit www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com
