Miami plastic surgeon Lenny Hochstein can't seem to slice off this pesky lawsuit brought on by a former patient. Monica Hansen, a former Miss Norway, Playboy model and Maxim Woman of the Year sued the doc for putting pictures of her on his practice's website, allegedly without her permission.

The doctor and the centerfold briefly dated and subsequently became friends until doc got engaged and suddenly the saline hit the fan.

Back in July, Hansen, who lives in Los Angeles, won a default judgment for $564,555 calling Hochstein's use of pics an ethical infringement on her rights. Hochstein denied the charge. ``The bottom line is I had permission to use her images,'' he said, adding that he performed several surgeries on Hansen over the course of several years at little or no cost as part of an agreement they had for him to use the photos.

The doctor's team obtained an e-mail from Hansen to her former employer, Hollywood madam Michelle Braun, in which Hansen wrote, ``Yes, honey, I did let Lenny use the pictures. I am so sorry for the trouble. Just became an issue with my agency is all but I am not going to sue.''

But she did sue and though the doctor removed the photos, two years later the suit is still not entirely settled.

The default judgment appeal hearing, set for Sept. 30, will be held in LA.

Hochstein tells us that although the situation caused him personal and professional hardships, he has faith in the legal system and believes he will win in the end. Hansen's lawyers haven't returned our messages.

SPOTTED

Guests soaking up the skyline views at Club 50 Thursday night were privy to an impromptu performance by Latin pop diva Cucu Diamantes, who hit the stage hours after learning she was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Ocean Drive's annual Fall Fashion Week kicks off Wednesday with a polo-themed event at Grove Isle and comes to a close Saturday when the magazine's cover girl Hilary Rhoda, face of Estee Lauder and girlfriend of hockey player Sean Avery, will host the fashion finale at LIV with a surprise fashion show that our fashionista sources are telling us will feature the latest from Chloe.

Dwyane Wade was at SET Saturday night, joined by a 30-person posse of friends that took over the upstairs VIP room and partied until the wee hours.

Spotted standing out in the crowd at the Shak Nasti show at The Dive Bar in Fort Lauderdale Saturday night: Dennis Rodman. ``He looked totally out of place with the crowd but he was into the music,'' said our spy.

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