Yes, this is Labor Day weekend, and we are enjoying a wonderful time with our children and grandchildren – more on that next week. Today, however, I would like to pause and reflect on Ukraine and its ongoing fight for independence.

This past week, in my role as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia, I was invited to a Ukrainian Independence Day celebration at the Ukrainian Culture Center in Los Angeles. The center itself is a remarkable institution. Founded in 1944 by Ukrainian immigrants who had arrived in the United States during and after World War II, it became the first major Ukrainian cultural organization in Southern California. In 1959, the group purchased a 1920s-era hall on Melrose Avenue, once a silent movie theater, and transformed it into a hub for community life. For decades, the center has preserved and promoted Ukrainian traditions, language, dance, and art – a vital connection between Ukrainians and the broader community.

But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian Culture Center has taken on a much larger role. What was once primarily a cultural hub has become a center of resistance and solidarity. I have been honored to attend multiple events there over the past three years, each one a reminder of the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

As a Latvian, I feel a deep kinship with Ukraine’s struggle. Both of our nations were unwillingly pulled into the Soviet Union and endured decades of oppression. Both declared independence in the wake of World War I – Latvia in 1918 and Ukraine shortly thereafter. Latvia remained free until the Soviet takeover in 1940; Ukraine, tragically, lost its independence in 1922 and did not regain it until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 – the same year Latvia regained its sovereignty.

Latvians know well that if Vladimir Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, he will not stop at Ukraine’s borders. Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland are all in his sights. Ukraine is fighting a giant – a nation with ten times its manpower and resources – and yet it is holding its own. That courage deserves our admiration, but more importantly, our support. It is imperative that the EU and the United States continue to stand firmly behind Ukraine in this unjust war.

It was an honor to celebrate Ukrainian independence, to enjoy the people, music, and food. Yet it is heartbreaking that in 2025, Russia is still killing innocent men, women, and children – people whose only “crime” is their desire to live free.

Arriving at the Ukrainian Culture Center on Melrose Ave in LA.

Dr. Bunkis with Dr. Olga Popel, a UCLA rheumatologist who presides over the Holodomor Committee in Los Angeles (famine deliberately engineered by Joseph Stalin to eliminate a Ukrainian independence movement, around 7 million people starved to death in 1932 and 1933)

Showing solidarity with diplomats from Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and a Ukrainian Consul.

Dr. Bunkis with Father Myroslav Mykytyuk, parish priest of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Echo Park, with his family.

Dr. Bunkis with Inguna Galviņa, representative of the LA Latvian Society.

Let’s continue this week’s article with a quiz:

Question:
Mentor breast implants have gone through many improvements since their introduction. What major advancement in implant design during the 1990’s significantly improved both safety and patient satisfaction?

A. Use of saline-filled implants with thinner shells
B. Introduction of highly cohesive silicone gel (“gummy bear”) implants
C. Development of external support bras specifically for implants
D. Switch to glass microsphere-filled implants for lighter weight
E. Use of self-inflating implants with adjustable volume

Correct Answer:
B. Introduction of highly cohesive silicone gel (“gummy bear”) implants

As someone who has specialized in breast surgery for over 40 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of breast implants. When I first began performing augmentations in the early 1980s, the implants we used were very different from the Mentor implants available today. It has been fascinating—and gratifying—to witness the improvements in safety, quality, and patient satisfaction over time.

The very first implants in the 1960s were made with thick silicone shells and firm gel. They were revolutionary for their time, but the look and feel were far from natural. Saline implants soon followed, and while they had the advantage of being filled with sterile salt water (absorbed safely by the body if leakage occurred), they often lacked the softness patients desired and could ripple visibly.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the second generation of silicone implants was introduced. I used these early in my career. They had thinner shells and softer gel, which felt better, but unfortunately this also meant higher rupture rates and issues with silicone “bleed.” Those challenges pushed the industry to rethink materials and safety, and thankfully, each generation since has improved.

Fast forward to today, and the difference is night and day. Modern Mentor implants represent decades of innovation, rigorous testing, and patient feedback. What truly sets Mentor apart is their balance of science and artistry. The implants are optimally filled, giving a natural slope and softness while minimizing rippling. Patients consistently tell me how natural their results feel and how confident they are with their choice. As a surgeon, I feel confident offering Mentor because I know I am providing the best technology available today.

Today, Mentor has perfected the balance of softness, strength, and safety. The cohesive silicone gel, sometimes called “gummy bear” technology, feels incredibly natural yet maintains its shape even if cut. The outer shells are stronger than ever, minimizing rupture and leakage risks. I have placed thousands of Mentor implants, and I can confidently say that today’s are the best I have ever used—both in terms of how they look and how they feel for patients.

The advances aren’t just in design. The rigorous testing, long-term safety data, and extremely high patient satisfaction rates give me tremendous confidence in recommending Mentor. Patients tell me over and over how natural their results feel and how life-changing the procedure has been for them.

And right now, I’m excited to share a special opportunity: any patient who schedules a breast augmentation with me before September 30, 2025 will receive a free set of Mentor implants—a $2,500 value. It’s my way of making the best implants available even more accessible to you.
If you’ve been thinking about breast enhancement, this is a wonderful time to explore your options. I would love to meet you, discuss your goals, and help you achieve a result that feels beautifully and naturally you.

Modern Mentor, optimally filled, cohesive gel, 350 implant that we use in the office as a demonstration to patients.

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.