Las Vegan ‘Makeover’ scheduled for tonight

Kirk Baird

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 | 8:10 a.m.

Aimee Baum is an avid fan of ABC's "Extreme Makeover," the popular reality series that provides often life-changing physical transformations.

Baum makes no secret why she enjoys the show: The 32-year-old wife and mother of two dreamed of an extreme makeover herself.

Ashamed of what she described as her overly masculine appearance, Baum wished for the same Cinderella metamorphosis Julia Roberts enjoyed in "Pretty Woman."

"Julia Roberts went from being nothing to someone beautiful and being a woman," she said. "And she smiled all the time."

When Baum learned that "Extreme Makeover" was auditioning contestants in Las Vegas, she patiently stood in line with about 1,000 other hopefuls for a chance to appear on the show.

After several callbacks, Baum learned in August that her wish was granted. She had been selected for an "Extreme Makeover." Baum's episode airs at 9 tonight on KTNV Channel 13.

On Sept. 1 Baum left her family in Las Vegas and flew to Los Angeles, where she spent two months undergoing a grueling makeover.

Among the procedures: a brow lift, a nose job, breast augmentation and having her ears pinned back. In addition, she was missing 13 teeth and her gums were diseased.

Complicating matters, Baum began smoking again, jeopardizing the healing process to the surgeries and keeping the dental procedures from being performed.

As a result, she contemplated leaving the show early.

Instead, a call to her daughter convinced Baum to stick it out -- including an additional two-week stay.

"It was the best experience I ever had and I would do it again in a heartbeat," she said of her "Extreme Makeover." "I now believe with all of my heart, dreams come true and if you work your butt off, you can definitely get it."