Naples Hooters- Your Top Ten!

Last Saturday, April 17th, the top representatives from the Southwest Florida Hooters Restaurants (by representatives, I mean bikini worthy staff), (and by "top" I mean beauty, poise, sense of fun, and sheer nerve) came to Naples to compete for entry to the nationally televised miss Hooters International Competition finals later this year.  Here are the top ten (out of thirty). Of these, five qualified to go on to the regional finals to be held next month on Boca Raton.  Once again, the job of the judges was a difficult task. Without sounding like a complaint or whine, since I'm sure anyone would take my place in a heartbeat, let me point out that critiquing these wonderful young ladies is difficult, sometimes absurd, and kinda mean. A lot of it is pure gestalt, and evaluating the energy, and poise with which they present themselves. Well, another tough assignment completed.
"Thank you" to the Hooters of Naples for letting me be part of their world for little while.

Hooters Ft. Myers Annual Swimsuit Pageant

Hooters of Ft. Myers; Saturday March 20th. Well, it was a struggle, but I got through it! Two hours of feigning interest and delight in a parade of bikinis and smiles... How will I ever find someone to take my place?
The Hooters of Ft. Myers Annual Swimsuit Pageant has come and gone. Five lovely ladies will proceed to the regional event, where they may be chosen to go on and represent south Florida at the National level... and then maybe on to the Miss Hooters International Competition.
Seeing these young ladies up on stage, confident, comfortable, smiling, wearing mostly their tan was a very positive experience. I don't mean that as obvious as it sounds. Let me explain.
Each girl was different from the next. They weren't all 5'10", not all were blonde, not all were D-cup, whether natural or enhanced. Some had booty, some were athletic, some had early 'motherly' changes. It was clear that what they did share between them (besides the amazing balance required for 6 inch heels) was a strength in their own body self-image. It was this confidence, the courage, and comfort it takes to get on a stage, that shines through to the audience. This is the basic beauty they all represented. I applaud them for that, and for sharing it with their fans.

As a plastic surgeon I don't have a personal vendetta against wrinkles, asymmetry, or modest curves. What I am here for is to help anyone who has particular body issue-- that certain something which keeps them from standing up proud, from smiling wide, from having that twinkle in their eye-- and modifying it so that they can do all these very things. I had a mentor who would like to say that "Plastic Surgeons may cut on the skin, but they operate on the Soul".
                                                                        more photos of Hooters' Swimsuit pageant

Hooters Annual Swimsuit Pageant

The Ft. Myers' Hooters Restaurant has invited me to be a Judge for the Annual Hooters Swimsuit Pageant. It's a tough job, but someone's got to....

Quite an honor indeed!
Considering how far many of our local young ladies have risen in the ranks of Hooters' national and international contests, not to mention their national Hooters Calendar, and television show- "Hooters Dream Girl" contest - it is quite exciting to be at the start of it all at this local 'home-grown' event.

I have been so impressed (this will be my third or fourth honorary judicial appointment) with all the girls who compete- it's just a wonder (and a wonderful thing) that they have the nerve to share their beauty with the rest of the world. The confidence it takes to get up there on stage--that in itself is a beautiful thing. They should all win.
Competition and careers aside- the day's event is quite a hoot (sorry about the pun). Between the live music, food, drink and very colorful crowds, its all quite an experience. I recommend it for anyone who is within driving distance. So, now you know where I'll be on Saturday night from five to ten. Perhaps I'll see you there.

Welcome to MIAMI- Beauty in Paradise

Day 2 Baker Gordon Surgery Conference:
Today we covered many topics. More live surgery. More videos.
More experts getting up and telling us how it is, to be then contradicted by the next speaker.
Some of the interesting topics covered include:
   Issue: Capsular contracture
   What is it: Hardening of scar tissue around a breast implant causing tightness, and distortion of shape.
   Points made: Do not yet know why it happens. Do not have way to avoid it. Not related to implant fill type, implant texture, or implant position relative to the chest muscle.
  
   Issue: Fat grafting
   What is it: Collecting fat from one part of the body and placing it another, in order to make that recipient site fuller.
   Points made: Increasing in popularity. Used in face, buttocks and now, breast. Don't yet know best way to harvest the fat, best donor site, fat preparation, or injection technique--we need some scientific research on this issue. We need to know these things to get the best "take" of the transposed fat. There may even be some positive skin quality effects from this transferred fat. In the meantime we can use lessons learned, and the artistic sensibility we have developed, from the injection-sculpting the use of nonpermanent fillers to the face.

   Issue: Fat graft breast augmentation
   What is it: Transfer of patients own fat from elsewhere on body to the breasts in order to make them bigger.
   Points made: Controversial, limited in effectiveness, legally tenuous, not yet ready for prime-time.

   Issue: Sub-Fascial Breast Augmentation
   What is it: Placement of a breast implant above the chest muscle, but below the thin, tough layer of muscle fascia covering the muscle.
   Points Made: Demonstrated by Dr. Ruth Graf of Brazil. Benefits of technique not obvious. Technique tedious.

Reception at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens tonight. Maybe I'll find Dr Graf and ask her more about her technique. It wont be in Portuguese however, since when I did an Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship in Rio De Janeiro with Dr.  Ivo Pitanguy I was unable to learn any permanent Portuguese at all! Tough language!
-drB