We hope each of you enjoyed a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving. We certainly did. We spent the long weekend in Goleta with Dr. Ekstrom’s son and his family, and it was the perfect blend of relaxation and togetherness. Taking the train up the coast reminded us why we love rail travel—there we were, reading and enjoying a glass of wine while watching miles of gridlocked traffic crawl along beside us. It felt like a small victory in holiday planning.

One of the highlights of the weekend was taking two of our grandchildren Christmas shopping. Rather than guessing what they might like, we let them choose their own gifts. Their enthusiasm and pure joy reminded us how magical this season is through the eyes of children.

The quiet moments on the train gave us time to reflect on what truly matters. We talked about our lives, our family, our work, and the many blessings we sometimes rush past without noticing. Gratitude, we agreed, is not just a feeling—it’s a practice. Research consistently shows that people who actively cultivate gratitude experience less stress, better sleep, improved emotional well-being, and even faster healing after surgery. We see this in our own patients: those who focus on the positives tend to recover more quickly and feel more satisfied with their outcomes.

Our reflections also brought us back to the volunteer medical missions that shaped our early careers. For over a dozen years, before we had children who needed us at home, I spent about ten days each year in Guatemala repairing cleft lips, palates, and other deformities for patients with no other access to surgery. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Ekstrom and I worked side by side in a small village near the Mexican border. Dr. Ekstrom later participated in similar missions in Haiti. Those trips were profoundly meaningful—they reminded us how fortunate we are and how important it is to give back.

As the holiday season begins, we wish you peace, gratitude, and joy.

With grandkids, a jump on Christmas shopping and building a ginger bread house.

Drs Bunkis and Ekstrom in a video dating back to 1985
https://youtu.be/5_fJCIa-yJs

Dr. Ekstrom with an infant she had operated on – this is why we made the trips!

Variety of patients we helped on our mission trips.

Quiz of the Day
Which season is considered the best for facial rejuvenation procedures such as facelifts, eyelid lifts, brow lifts, and fat grafting?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
E. There is no seasonal difference

(Correct answer: D. Winter)

As we turn the corner into December, many of our patients wonder when the ideal time might be to pursue facial rejuvenation. Winter is, without question, one of the most advantageous seasons to undergo procedures such as facelifts, eyelid lifts, brow lifts, and facial fat grafting.

Cooler temperatures help reduce postoperative swelling and make it easier to follow recovery guidelines. Patients naturally spend more time indoors, which minimizes sun exposure—one of the most important factors in protecting incisions and preventing pigmentation changes. Winter wardrobes also provide built-in camouflage; scarves, hats, and high collars make it easier to feel comfortable while healing.

The holiday season often brings time off work, allowing patients a more private and relaxed recovery period. Many of our patients schedule their procedures between Thanksgiving and New Year is so they can emerge refreshed and rejuvenated in January.

A technique we have grown increasingly excited about—because of its reliability and beautiful, natural results—is microfat grafting. I has been perfecting this technique for decades, using a patient’s own fat to rejuvenate the face, soften lines, fill hollow areas, and restore youthful contours. Fat grafting also improves skin quality over time due to the regenerative properties of the stromal vascular fraction. Whether combined with a facelift or performed as a standalone procedure, this technique integrates seamlessly into winter recovery schedules.

If you’ve been considering improving your jawline, restoring volume to your cheeks or temples, refreshing your eyelids, or simply giving yourself the gift of a younger appearance, winter may be the perfect time. We are here to guide you every step of the way.

34-year-old male shown here before and a year after a neck liposuction with Renuvion skin shrinking procedure and a buccal lipectomy performed as team surgery by Drs. Deborah Ekstrom and Juris Bunkis (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.)

This 56-year-old female sought facial rejuvenation with Dr. Deborah Ekstrom of Orange County Plastic Surgery in Corona del Mar/Newport Beach. She is shown here before and after a face/neck lift, brow lift and upper lid blepharoplasty. She is thrilled with her new neckline! (Actual patient of Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.)

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.