A Summer Evening at the Hollywood Bowl: The Tabernacle Choir Returns After a Century
By Dr. Juris Bunkis
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in Southern California
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
One of my favorite things to do each summer that I have lived in Southern California is to spend an evening at the Hollywood Bowl. This year, the opportunity to do so was provided by the Office of Public and International Relations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which arranged a wonderful event at the Hollywood Bowl for members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps.
Dr. Ekstrom and I joined diplomats and their guests from around the world to enjoy a truly memorable performance featuring The Tabernacle Choir, accompanied by Donny Osmond, Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, and the Bonner Family. It was a magical Southern California evening under the stars. All of the proceeds of this concert were donated to three charities.
The Hollywood Bowl itself is an icon. Opened in 1922, it has served as one of America’s premier outdoor concert venues for more than a century. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the Bowl seats nearly 18,000 people and has welcomed generations of music lovers. Whether one enjoys classical music, jazz, rock, country, Broadway, or cultural celebrations, the Bowl has hosted virtually every major performer of the last hundred years.
The famous shell-shaped stage has become one of Southern California’s most recognizable landmarks. The venue is as much about tradition as it is about music. Families arrive early with picnic baskets and wine, sharing meals with friends before the performances begin. It is a uniquely Californian experience that combines world-class entertainment with our wonderful climate and outdoor lifestyle.
What made this year’s concert especially meaningful was its historical significance. The Tabernacle Choir first performed at the Hollywood Bowl exactly one hundred years ago, in 1926. Their return this year serves as a remarkable connection between past and present, demonstrating the enduring appeal of one of America’s great musical institutions.
The Tabernacle Choir, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and consists of approximately 360 volunteer singers drawn from many walks of life. Members dedicate countless hours to rehearsals and performances while maintaining their regular professions and family responsibilities. The Choir has become internationally recognized for its exceptional artistry and for its mission of inspiring faith, hope, and goodwill.
Their weekly broadcast, “Music and the Spoken Word,” began in 1929 and is the longest continuously running network radio program in the world. The Choir has performed for U.S. presidents, international dignitaries, and audiences on every continent. Their current world tour celebrates both their rich heritage and their continuing commitment to bringing people together through music.
The evening reminded us that music transcends borders, cultures, and languages. As members of the Consular Corps representing nations from around the globe, we experienced firsthand the universal power of beautiful music performed in one of America’s most beloved venues. It was an evening we will long remember.
Dr. Bunkis at the Hollywood Bowl with Dr. Ekstrom, the Honorable Grant Gochin, Lithuanian citizen and Consul for the Republic of Togo, and Russell Lyon.
An evening to remember with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
When Should Breast Implants Be Replaced? Understanding the 15–20 Year Rule
By Dr. Deborah Ekstrom
Orange County Plastic Surgery, Corona del Mar/Newport Beach
Breast Implant Quiz: How often should women with breast implants have their implants evaluated for possible exchange, even if they have no symptoms?
A. Breast implants are lifetime devices and never need replacement.
B. Implants should always be replaced every five years.
C. Modern implants should generally be monitored regularly, with many patients considering exchange after 15–20 years.
D. Only saline implants need to be replaced.
E. Silicone implants are unsafe after ten years and must be removed.
Correct Answer: C. All breast implants should be exchanged every 15-20 years.
When Dr. Bunkis and I began our careers in plastic surgery, breast implants were generally considered lifetime devices. Little thought was given to replacing implants unless problems such as capsular contracture, pain, or obvious deformity developed.
By the late 1980s, however, reports began to appear demonstrating that implants left in place for long periods would eventually rupture. While many women experienced no symptoms, the reality became clear: breast implants, like all medical devices, have a finite lifespan.
During the early 1990s, concerns regarding implant safety led the FDA to place a moratorium on the general use of silicone gel-filled breast implants. Silicone implants could still be inserted as part of large, carefully monitored FDA clinical studies. Our practice participated in these studies, and we diligently collected and submitted follow-up data on hundreds of patients.
As a result, many women during that period received saline implants, while valuable information on silicone implant safety and longevity continued to accumulate. By 2006, the FDA had gathered sufficient evidence to conclude that silicone implants did not pose a greater health risk than saline implants, and their use was once again approved for all qualified plastic surgeons.
What also became apparent from those years of research was that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Patients require periodic monitoring, and most experts now recommend considering implant exchange after approximately 15 to 20 years, ideally before rupture occurs.
Fortunately, today’s implants are dramatically improved compared to those manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s. Modern implant shells are stronger, silicone gels are more cohesive, and manufacturing standards are far more rigorous. The so-called “gummy bear” implants, for example, are designed to maintain their shape even if the shell is compromised.
Still, physics eventually wins. Every implant flexes millions of times over the years as we move, exercise, sleep, and go about daily life. Repeated bending at natural fold points gradually weakens the shell. In addition, calcium deposits may form within the scar capsule surrounding the implant, creating rough surfaces that contribute to wear over time. Given enough years, every implant will ultimately fail.
The good news is that breast implants remain among the safest and most satisfying procedures in all of plastic surgery. Millions of women enjoy excellent long-term results and improved self-confidence. Regular examinations, appropriate imaging when recommended, and adherence to FDA and manufacturer guidelines allow us to identify problems early and maintain beautiful, safe outcomes for our patients.
If you received breast implants many years ago and are wondering whether it may be time for an evaluation, we would be happy to help determine the best course of action for your individual situation.
Have questions?
We would be delighted to evaluate your concerns and help determine if it is time to exchange your breast implants. Please call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ekstrom and get all of your questions answered.
Whenever we have a patient with implants, which have been in place for many years, whenever possible, we remove the scar tissue around the implants (i.e. the capsules) along with the implants “en bloc” (in one piece, without entering the space containing the implants, to minimize spilling lose silicone inside the patient because it is difficult to clean up.) Above, see an example of bilateral implants, which we removed en bloc, and which were opened on the back table, after the patient had been sutured up and the operation completed. The right pocket contained an unremarkable implant and thin scar tissue, but on the left side, she had severe calcification of the scar tissue, which creates an abrasive surface, and she had a ruptured implant. (Actual patient of Orange County Plastic Surgery.)
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.
