Finding the Balance: What Panama Is Teaching Us About Life
By Dr. Juris Bunkis
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Southern California
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
We have been fortunate to travel to many parts of the world, and each journey has left us with memories, impressions and, occasionally, a new perspective on life. Our first trip to Panama in April was one of those experiences. We wrote about it in this column, and by the time we left, we had already fallen in love with the country.
We loved the warmth of the people, the culture, the food, the architecture and, perhaps most of all, the feeling that Panama had somehow found a
wonderful balance between enjoying life and getting things done.
That impression was strong enough that we decided to put an offer on an oceanfront apartment.
We returned to Panama last Thursday for a short visit. Our primary purpose was business—to close on our condominium in Costa del Este and take care of several other matters—but, as often happens when we travel, the experience became much more than checking items off a list.
Once again, we found ourselves appreciating the Panamanian approach to life.
Panamá City is striking. Its modern skyline, with impressive towers of glass and steel, would not look out of place in Miami, Dubai or New York City. Yet only a relatively short distance away is Casco Viejo, Panama City’s beautifully preserved historic district, where colonial buildings, plazas and narrow streets tell the story of another era.
Old and new. Tradition and innovation. Business and leisure.
That sense of balance seems to extend beyond architecture.
Panama is certainly a country where people work hard, but there also seems to be an appreciation for taking time to enjoy family, friends, food and the simple pleasures of everyday life. Coming from a culture in which we can sometimes wear busyness as a badge of honor, that is an appealing lesson.
Perhaps that is one reason we have felt so comfortable here.
At this stage of our lives, we have become increasingly interested not simply in where we live, but in how we live. Travel has taught us that there is no single formula for a fulfilling life. Sometimes the most important discoveries are not landmarks or tourist attractions, but different ways of thinking about time, relationships and priorities.
Our Panama adventure is still unfolding. But as we head home today, we are leaving with the same feeling we had after our first visit:
We really, really like this place.
And perhaps what we like most is the balance.
This eye-popping building in Panama City was built by the same builder who built the gorgeous Panama Hilton, the Panama Waldorf Astoria, our Regalia complex in Costa del Este, and half a dozen other edifices in Panama City area..
Dr Ekstrom at her happy place in old town, Panamá City – Casa Blanca. Already, many fond memories from this fabulous restaurant!
A relaxed Dr Bunkis enjoying a cappuccino in a local cafe in Panama City. This cappuccino cost $1.50. Yes, they do have Starbucks here, but their cappuccinos cost a dollar more than in Orange County!
What Makes a Profile Beautiful?
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Plastic Surgery Quiz: When evaluating a patient who has both a prominent nose and a weak chin, which statement is most accurate?
A. The nose should always be treated first, because it is the most noticeable feature.
B. Chin augmentation should be avoided because it can make the nose appear larger.
C. Treating both areas may create a more balanced facial profile than treating either feature alone.
D. A dorsal hump can be removed without considering the chin because the procedures are unrelated.
E. Rhinoplasty and chin augmentation should never be performed during the same operation.
Correct answer: C
When we look at someone’s face, we don’t evaluate each feature in isolation. Our perception of beauty and harmony is influenced by how the individual features relate to one another.
This is particularly important when evaluating the profile.
A surprisingly large number of patients who come to see me about chin augmentation also have another feature that deserves consideration: a relatively prominent nose, sometimes with a dorsal hump. Conversely, patients who are bothered by a strong or prominent nose may also have a chin that is relatively small or recessed.
In these situations, simply changing one feature may not produce the balanced result the patient is hoping to achieve.
For example, removing a dorsal hump can make the nose smaller and more refined. But if the chin is significantly recessed, the nose may still appear prominent in relation to the rest of the face. Similarly, augmenting a weak chin without addressing a disproportionately large nose may improve the chin but leave the overall profile less harmonious than it could be.
This does not mean that every patient needs both procedures. Many patients are excellent candidates for rhinoplasty alone, while others may benefit from chin augmentation alone. The decision should be individualized based on facial proportions, anatomy, goals and the patient’s preferences.
However, when both a prominent nose and a weak chin are present, it is important to discuss the relationship between them—even if the patient initially comes in concerned about only one feature.
One of the advantages of combining rhinoplasty and chin augmentation is that the two procedures can complement each other. Rhinoplasty can refine the nose, while chin augmentation can provide greater projection and definition to the lower face. Together, they may create a more harmonious relationship between the nose, lips and chin.
There are also practical advantages to combining procedures, including a single period of anesthesia and recovery rather than undergoing two separate operations. On the other hand, combining procedures means a longer operation and a more involved recovery, and it is not appropriate for every patient.
Ultimately, the goal is not to create a “perfect” nose or an exceptionally prominent chin.
The goal is balance.
And just as Panama seems to remind us that the best life may be found somewhere between work and relaxation, modern and historic, our faces are often most pleasing when individual features exist in harmony with one another.
Would you like to improve your profile?
Schedule online to set up an appointment with Dr. Ekstrom to explore your options.
Female of Hispanic descent in her early 30s received a closed rhinoplasty and chin augmentation using a Hanson Medical Style – size #2 chin implant. Procedures performed by Dr. Juris Bunkis, FACS.
This 35-year-old male had a rather small dorsal nasal hump and a slightly weak chin. He wished to have a balanced profile and this could not be achieved without addressing both the nasal hump and weak chin. He was shown here before, and after a closed rhinoplasty and a chin augmentation with a.Hanson Medical Anatomic style size #2 chin implant to give him this pleasing and balanced profile. (Actual patient of Dr. Juris Bunkis of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona Del Mar/Newport Beach California.)
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