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Napa doctors host their own 'makeover'

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

By ROSEANN KEEGAN

Inspired by the popular ABC reality show "Extreme Makeover," a group of Napa Valley doctors are producing their own variation of the show that dramatically changes the way contestants look through surgery.

The Wine Country Extreme Facial Makeover, orchestrated by Silverado Dental Care, vows to "give one man and one woman the chance of a lifetime to achieve the face they've always dreamed of."

Judges will select the two winners on Valentine's Day. For free, the man and woman will receive any number of enhancement procedures, including cosmetic dentistry, facial plastic surgery, laser eye surgery, a haircut, fitness training and wardrobe help. A photographer will document the before and after pictures, and in true Extreme Makeover fashion, a limousine will deliver the winners to their own makeover "unveiling" party.

In the TV version, contestants are made-over from head to toe, from liposuction to rhinoplasty.

The idea for a local contest came from Marilyn Lepard, marketing director at Silverado Dental Care. She and her husband, Dr. Richard Lepard, who practices at Silverado, have associates who have tried the idea successfully elsewhere, like Snake River, Idaho.

"Part of this is public education," Lepard said. "We want to show people in Napa that you don't have to go to L.A. to have (enhancements) done," Lepard said. "This raises the awareness of what's possible."

Annie Fort, vice president of media relations at the ABC network, said this was the first she had heard of Extreme Makeover spin-offs. She said Monday that the network will need more time to prepare a comment, and see if there are any legal issues with the use of the show's name on the contest Web site.

Lepard said the contest site has been reviewed by a lawyer already, and that she believes it is perfectly legal.

Entries won't be accepted until January, but Lepard said public response has already been promising.

'We've had lots of phone calls," she said. "We have had quite a few patients ask about it within our practice, not that we would chose them over someone else."

While Silverado will provide dental enhancements, the Aesthetic Institute of Napa Valley will provide facial plastic surgery, and Dr. Robert Nasser of the Eye Care Center of Napa Valley will provide laser eye surgery.

"Whatever it is that they need -- a crown on every tooth, whitening, bonding -- the winners will be chosen with the idea that the person will have a really good after effect," Lepard said.

Lepard has had her own smile improved, but cautions that cosmetic changes won't change the rest of one's life.

"I had my teeth done several years ago and I smile all the time. I didn't smile before. I would put my hand over my mouth," she said. "But it didn't change who I am. You can't have expectations for, 'OK, now I'm going down to L.A. and they're going to sign me up for a movie.'"

On the other hand, she said, the results raise one's self esteem to a level that other self-improvements follow. Often, she said, patients return for their next office visit 20 pounds lighter.

"It can really change your life," she said.

For the contest, applicants must submit a three-minute video and two color photographs, be a U.S. citizen and 21 years old. Applicants must also be available for several days for the makeover process, and for four to seven weeks afterward for any needed recoveries.

"You're going to have to be fairly motivated to apply," Lepard said.

Information is at www.winecountrymakeover.com

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