This past weekend, we celebrated Easter, while our Jewish friends observed Passover—two ancient holidays rich in tradition, symbolism, and meaning. One of the most beloved symbols of Easter is the Easter egg, a sign of new life, rebirth, and spring’s arrival.

The tradition of decorating eggs dates back thousands of years. In pagan spring rituals, eggs symbolized fertility and renewal. With the spread of Christianity, the egg became associated with the resurrection of Christ. Over time, this practice evolved into a joyful celebration involving egg hunts and vibrant, colored shells.

Today, Easter eggs are often colored with store-bought food dyes and decorated with stickers and glitter. While these are fun and festive, they lack the charm and artistry of traditional egg decorating in many cultures—like Latvia, where my family is from.

In Latvia, decorating Easter eggs was a cherished craft, often taking half a day or more to complete. Instead of synthetic dyes, Latvians used natural materials—grasses, moss, and most commonly, onion skins (my preferred method). A pot of boiling onion skins would turn an egg a rich, earthy brown. Artists would then scratch intricate designs into the shell, revealing the pale surface beneath. Others would press leaves or flower petals against the egg and tie them in place with string before boiling. The result? A beautifully marbled or patterned egg, each one unique.

These handcrafted eggs were more than decorations—they were expressions of creativity, patience, and connection to nature. They’re traditions worth sharing and passing down to our children and grandchildren, especially in a world where so much is fast and disposable.

With over 40 years of experience in plastic surgery, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing – and participating in – the evolution of our specialty. As time passes, many of us gravitate toward procedures we love most. For me, those are microfat grafting (face, hands, and Brazilian Butt Lifts), body contouring, and all types of breast surgery.

One of the biggest revolutions in our field has been the advent of liposuction and the refined use of fat grafting. When I began practicing in the early 1980s, liposuction was all the rage – especially for removing “saddlebags,” hips, thighs, and yes, even buttocks. The goal? “Make it small”.

Fast forward to the 2000s, and the aesthetic shifted dramatically. Curves came back in style, and the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) emerged as one of the most requested body contouring procedures worldwide. The BBL uses your own fat – typically harvested from the waist, abdomen, and flanks – to sculpt a fuller, shapelier, and more youthful backside. It’s a beautiful blend of slimming and enhancement.

Patients love BBLs because the results are natural-looking, long-lasting, and achieved without implants. The typical patient is a woman in her 20s to 40s, but I’ve had patients well into their 50s and 60s benefit from this transformative procedure. The bonus? A more sculpted waist and body silhouette.

BBLs are a true expression of artistry in plastic surgery – where contour, proportion, and natural tissue all come together. For me, it’s one of the most satisfying procedures to perform, both for the technical finesse it requires and the confidence it brings my patients.

Join us at our new office!