Extreme Makeover Returns to ABC Monday, July 2  6/22/07

IN THE MOST JAW DROPPING REVEALS EVER TELEVISED, MICHA, A SMALL TOWN GIRL WHO IS LEGALLY BLIND, AND CHRIS, A BELOW-THE-KNEE AMPUTEE, ARE COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED, ON ABC'S "EXTREME MAKEOVER," MONDAY, JULY 2 

Plus, Micha Meets with Her Idol, Regis Philbin, and Christopher Gets a Surprise Visit From Four-time World Champion Wake Boarder Tara Hamilton "Episode 402" - This week, Micha, a 30-year-old legally blind woman from Morristown, TN, and Chris, a 45-year-old below-the-knee amputee from Hobe Sound, FL who wants his life back, will undergo a life-changing experience together as their lives and looks will be transformed by a team of plastic surgeons and top hair and makeup artists, stylists and personal trainers, then revealed to their families and friends, on "Extreme Makeover," MONDAY, JULY 2 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Micha's story is a modern day "My Fair Lady." She is a legally blind small town girl who suffers from a severe overbite that makes it difficult for her to eat and talk. Because of her speech impediment and looks, she's been cruelly labeled as "stupid" and been passed over for jobs due to employers' misconceptions that she may be mentally retarded. Though an adult, Micha has not left the roost, as she copes with her disability by hiding on her parents' farm, relying on them for housing and transportation. But Micha is about to go on the journey of a lifetime as "Extreme Makeover" whisks her to Los Angeles and New York City to turn her into an Elisa Doolittle. With the aid of stylist Lawrence Zarian, Micha receives lessons in elocution, etiquette, poise, walking, driving and dancing, and receives a total makeover to become the toast of Regis Philbin's New York and the most exquisite belle of her hometown ball. Micha's journey is a medical breakthrough, as she receives implantable contact lenses and extensive and delicate reconstructive jaw surgery to restore her vision and mouth. In the most jaw dropping reveal ever, Micha's transformation must be seen to be believed.

Micha's procedures included three-piece maxillary osteotomy (broke upper jaw and reset), bilateral mandibular osteotomy (broke lower jaw and reset), advancement genioplasty (surgical repositioning of chin) for vertical maxillary excess, mandibular insufficiency & anterior open bite (overbite and open bite), implantable contact lens surgery, aesthetic acne treatment, laser hair removal on upper lip and face, and topical acne treatments, cosmetic reshaping, braces off and Zoom whitening.

Micha's "Extreme Team" included:

* Dr. Tim Silegy D.D.S., a surgical specialist in traumatic facial injury & jaw deformity corrections at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

* Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Robert J. Relle D.D.S.

* Dr. Robert K. Maloney, considered one of the 10 best LASIK surgeons in the world, who has performed LASIK surgery on such celebrities as Cindy Crawford and Barry Manilow

* Dentist Dr. William Dorfman, one of the pioneers of tooth whitening. Celebrity clientele includes Matthew Perry, Usher, Ali Landry, Brooke Burke and Melissa Joan Hart

* Expert anesthesiologists Dean B. Berkus, M.D. and Michael Ford, M.D

* Dermatologist Ava T. Shamban, owner and director of the Laser Institute for Dermatology in Santa Monica

* Wardrobe and fashion stylist Lawrence Zarian, who serves as fashion correspondent on "Live with Regis and Kelly"

* Master body sculptor and rapid weight-loss expert Michael Thurmond, who trains various red-carpet celebrities

* Celebrity voice coach David Coury

* Etiquette instructor Amanda Wycoff

* Hairstylist and extentionist Nanci Lee Randolph

* Hair colorist Kim Vo of B2V Salon

* Makeup and eyebrow artist Janice Bremec

* As per Michael Thurmond's customized diet regimens, gourmet custom meals were provided by Sally Ann Catering

When Chris lost his leg in a tragic motorcycle crash, he didn't just lose the ability to walk. He lost much more. He wants to restore his livelihood, which was taken away along with his leg when it was amputated. This boat mechanic receives a cutting edge prosthetic limb and makeover that will give him the self confidence and second lease on life he needs in order to return to work, the sea, and even water sports. With the help of surprise guest world champion wake boarder Tara Hamilton, the Extreme Team helps Chris get back the life that he once had.

Chris' procedures included a brow lift, cheek lift, upper and lower eyelid lift, liposuction under chin, liposelection of the abdomen, chest and hips, lip repositioning, Vbeam laser treatment, Photodynamic therapy for rosacea, six da Vinci porcelain Veneers, Zoom whitening, a hair transplant, hair restoration, and an Otto Bock prosthetic leg -- plus a "sea leg" for swimming and diving in ocean waters.

Chris' "Extreme Team" included:

* Plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Griffin, who is considered one of the foremost authorities on plastic surgery for African Americans and ethnic skin types. He is a pioneer in scar-free surgery for scar-prone minorities and the author of "Surgery without Scars: A Worry-Free, Multi-Cultural Guide to Plastic Surgery Today"

* Dentist Dr. William Dorfman, one of the pioneers of tooth whitening. Celebrity clientele includes Matthew Perry, Usher, Ali Landry, Brooke Burke and Melissa Joan Hart

* Prosthetist-orthotist Keith E. Vinnecour, certified in prosthetics and orthotics by the American Board of Certification, who lectures extensively to physical therapists, physicians groups, peers and patient groups

* Dermatologist Ava T. Shamban, owner and director of the Laser Institute for Dermatology in Santa Monica

* Craig L. Ziering, D.O., a hair transplant specialist who has successfully performed over 9,000 hair transplant procedures

* Periodontist Ari Rosenblatt, D.D.S.

* Porcelain veneers by da Vinci Studios

* Anesthesiologist Dr. David A. Blake

* Hair restorationist/creative director Flora Fuentes

* Fashion stylist Lawrence Zarian

* Master body sculptor and rapid weight-loss expert Michael Thurmond, who trains various red-carpet celebrities

* As per Michael Thurmond's customized diet regimens, gourmet custom meals are provided by Sally Ann Catering

"Extreme Makeover" is produced by New Screen Entertainment and Lighthearted Entertainment. Chuck Bangert, Lou Gorfain and Howard Schultz are the executive producers.

This program is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

Source: ABC Press Release