A Weekend on the Sidelines: Youth Sports and the Joy of Watching the Next Generation
By Dr. Juris Bunkis, Medical Director, Orange County Plastic Surgery Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia
This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending many hours doing something that countless grandparents and parents across America enjoy every weekend: sitting on the sidelines watching children play sports.
My granddaughter had four volleyball games—her team won all four—and my grandson had a baseball game. Orange County Plastic Surgery proudly sponsors my grandson’s baseball team, and I had the special privilege of watching my son, Justin, coaching from the dugout and running the pitching machine for the little boys.
Watching him coach brought back many memories. When Justin was growing up, I spent many days coaching his baseball teams as well as my daughter’s softball teams. At the time, I probably did not fully appreciate just how special those years were. Seeing Justin now standing in the coach’s box, guiding the next generation of young players, felt like life coming full circle.
Justin himself played baseball at Loyola Marymount University on a scholarship for four years, so the game has always been an important part of our lives. It is wonderful to see him passing that passion on to his own children and their teammates.
Justin and his family live in Ladera Ranch, which in my view is one of the most family-friendly communities in Orange County. The town was thoughtfully designed with families in mind. There are parks everywhere, excellent sports facilities, miles of trails, playgrounds, and even a wonderful water park that becomes a gathering place for families during the warmer months.
The community is particularly festive during holidays. At Christmas and Halloween many homes are elaborately decorated, creating a magical atmosphere for children and families who stroll through the neighborhoods together.
Not surprisingly, Ladera Ranch has a high concentration of families with children. Roughly 45–50% of households include children, significantly higher than many neighboring communities in Orange County. When you visit the parks and sports fields, you can immediately see why.
Youth sports remain a major part of childhood in America. Studies estimate that around 60% of children participate in organized sports at some point during their youth. The benefits extend far beyond physical fitness. Children learn teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and how to handle both success and disappointment.
As I sat on the bleachers this weekend watching the games unfold, I was reminded once again that the simple moments—cheering for a great play, encouraging a child after a missed catch, celebrating a win together—are the moments that build families and communities.
And for grandparents, there may be no better seat in the house than the one along the sidelines.
My son, Justin, is taller than I am – as you can see, my 9 year old granddaughter, Kinley, is built for volleyball!
Kinley, playing in an 11 and under division, in action.
Champions. Yes, Kinley is easy to spot, the tallest girl on the team!
Grandson Colton, age 7, playing Single A baseball in an 8 and under group. Here, Coach Justin is running the pitching machine and Colton is the catcher.
A batting stance I recognize – my grandson, Colton at bat this weekend … and his dad, my son Justin, playing with the “Devils” traveling team in 2002.
The Rise of Panniculectomy: Addressing Excess Skin After Major Weight Loss
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Pop Quiz: Age & Aesthetic Surgery
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
After significant weight loss, some patients develop a large overhang of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen called a pannus. What surgical procedure is specifically designed to remove this excess tissue?
A. Liposuction
B. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
C. Panniculectomy
D. Mini-tummy tuck
E. Body lift
Correct answer: C — Panniculectomy
Over the past two years, plastic surgeons across the country have seen a dramatic increase in patients seeking treatment for excess skin after major weight loss. Medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs have helped many individuals achieve significant weight reduction. While this is wonderful for overall health, rapid or large weight loss often leaves behind loose, hanging skin—particularly in the lower abdomen.
This excess tissue is called a pannus, and in some patients it can extend well below the waistline. Beyond cosmetic concerns, a large pannus can cause very real physical problems. Patients may experience skin irritation, rashes, infections, difficulty exercising, and problems with clothing fit.
A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure designed specifically to remove this excess hanging tissue. During the operation, the surgeon removes the pannus—the apron of skin and fat that hangs over the lower abdomen—resulting in a flatter, more comfortable abdominal contour.
It is important to understand that a panniculectomy is not the same as a tummy tuck. Unlike a full abdominoplasty, undermining during a panniculectomy does not extend much above the navel and a panniculectomy typically does not tighten the abdominal muscles or significantly reshape the waistline. Its primary purpose is functional: removing the heavy overhanging tissue.
Good candidates for panniculectomy include patients who:
• Have lost a significant amount of weight and have been left with a pannus
• Have a stable weight for several months
• Experience hygiene or skin problems under the pannus but do not have an excess of upper abdominal skin
• Are in generally good health
The benefits can be dramatic. Patients often report improved mobility, easier exercise, fewer skin problems, and greater comfort in clothing.
As with any surgery, there are considerations to keep in mind. The procedure does leave a scar across the lower abdomen, similar to an abdominoplasty scar, and recovery requires several weeks of restricted activity. Careful surgical planning and proper post-operative care are important for optimal healing.
What panniculectomy does not accomplish is full abdominal contouring. Patients seeking muscle tightening or more dramatic reshaping may benefit from other procedures, such as abdominoplasty or body lift surgery.
For patients who have worked hard to lose a significant amount of weight, however, panniculectomy can be the final step that allows them to fully enjoy the benefits of their transformation.
This 60-year-old female sought consultation at Orange County Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach to discuss her abdominal wall fatty and skin excess. She had developed skin irritation below her large pannus. She is shown here before and after her pannus was removed and a liposuction of her abdominal wall to give her this result, with which she was very pleased.
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
