A Sentimental Journey into the Attic
By Dr. Juris Bunkis, Medical Director, Orange County Plastic Surgery
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia
This past week, Latvia commemorated a solemn and historic milestone: 35 years since the mass resistance to Soviet repression in the Baltic States, triggered by the January 13, 1991 massacre of 14 Lithuanian civilians by Soviet forces in Vilnius. Four more people were shot by Soviets in Latvia. Those tragic events ignited a wave of peaceful resistance that ultimately led to the restoration of democracy and freedom for the people of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
It is mind-boggling to realize that 35 years have passed since those historic days. In some ways, life under the Soviet Union feels like a distant, almost surreal memory. In other ways, those years seem to have passed in the blink of an eye. Time has a way of compressing even the most profound moments.
Coincidentally, this past weekend I found myself on a very personal journey through time. For years, my airplane hangar at Chino Airport has served as a convenient holding place for things I did not want cluttering up our home. This weekend, it was time to purge. I climbed up into the attic space above the hangar and began pulling down boxes that had not been opened in decades.
What followed was an unexpectedly sentimental journey into my own past.
Out came framed photographs of my children from about 35 years ago—frozen moments from a different chapter of life. Out came artwork I loved but no longer have wall space for, carefully stored but never forgotten. I uncovered framed diplomas, including my medical school graduation photo from nearly 50 years ago. From my golfing days, there were framed golf balls from courses played around the world. There were souvenirs collected over decades, letters from my father, notes from old girlfriends, and correspondence that once meant everything.
There was sports memorabilia too: a skateboard signed by Tony Hawk, autographed photos of NHL players from the 1960s, framed tickets from Super Bowls and World Series games, and even a signed football signed by Joe Montana. I pulled out items tied to my years with the Hamsters USA custom motorcycle club—objects full of stories, friendships, and adventures.
I photographed many of these pieces and will try to repurpose them, gift them, or pass them along to someone who will truly enjoy and use them. What struck me most was how powerfully objects can carry memory, emotion, and identity across time.
History—personal or national—has a way of resurfacing when we least expect it. This weekend reminded me just how quickly time flies, and how important it is to pause, reflect, remember and share.
Repurposing from the attic
Hamster memorabilia heading for a new home
The Psychological Benefits of Plastic Surgery: More Than Skin Deep
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Quiz Of The Day
Which of the following is the most common psychological benefit patients report after aesthetic surgery?
A. Feeling younger than their age
B. Becoming more outgoing
C. Looking more like how they feel inside
D. Receiving more compliments
E. Feeling “perfect”
Correct Answer: C
Last week, we discussed the mental blocks that often keep patients from pursuing plastic surgery. This week, I’d like to explore the other side of the equation: the psychological benefits patients often experience when surgery is done thoughtfully, conservatively, and for the right reasons.
During my residency training, I spent a full year studying psychiatry at the University of Minnesota—a skill set that has served me well over the past 40 years in plastic surgery. Aesthetic surgery is never just physical. The emotional component matters deeply.
One of the most meaningful benefits is the restoration of self-congruence. Patients frequently tell me, “I finally recognize myself again.” Surgery doesn’t change who they are—it helps align their external appearance with their internal vitality. This alignment reduces a constant, low-grade frustration many patients didn’t even realize they were carrying.
Another benefit is the reduction of appearance-related mental noise. Before surgery, patients often expend energy avoiding mirrors, choosing clothes to hide certain areas, or worrying about photos and lighting. After surgery, that background anxiety quiets, freeing mental space for relationships, work, and enjoyment of life.
Patients also experience increased confidence—not vanity. This confidence shows up as ease: speaking more freely, smiling without self-consciousness, and no longer bracing for judgment. They don’t become different people; they become less guarded versions of themselves.
Many patients notice improved social engagement. They are more present in conversations, more comfortable with eye contact, and less likely to withdraw in group settings. Others describe a renewed sense of control and agency—the empowering feeling of making an intentional decision rather than “letting time and gravity decide.”
For those who fixate on a specific concern—such as the breasts, abdomen, or areas of laxity—surgery often brings relief from chronic self-criticism, quieting repetitive negative self-talk.
Subtle physical improvements can also trigger a positive feedback loop: better posture, improved self-care, greater engagement with health and fitness, and renewed professional confidence—especially for public-facing professionals.
For some patients, surgery represents emotional closure—a symbolic fresh start after illness, caregiving, or major life transitions.
An Important Ethical Note
Plastic surgery does not fix depression, relationships, or identity struggles. It works best when motivation is internal and expectations are realistic. When those conditions are met, aesthetic surgery can meaningfully support psychological well-being, not replace it.
At its best, plastic surgery helps patients feel more comfortable, confident, and at home in their own skin. Have some areas of concern which you would like improved? Give us a call and come in to see me so we can discuss your concerns.
This 45-year-old male sought consultation with Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery with regards to his abdominal wall and love handles. He was relatively fit and ate well but disliked the appearance of his abdominal wall. He is shown here before and after a liposuction of the abdominal wall and posterior flanks (“love handles”) with this pleasing result. (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona Del Mar/New Port Beach, California.)
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
