Judge bars Anna Nicole surgery footage

LOS ANGELES — A judge ordered a Texas doctor and his wife Friday not to distribute videotaped footage of Anna Nicole Smith's breast augmentation surgery in 1994.

The order settles a lawsuit filed last year by Howard K. Stern, the executor of Smith's estate, who was trying to stop Dr. Gerald Johnson and his wife from distributing the tapes of the former Playboy Playmate.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff issued preliminary injunctions against the Johnsons more than a year ago before issuing his final decision.

Stern maintained Smith never consented to the taping or to allowing the footage to be seen by Los Angeles memorabilia dealer Thomas Riccio, who got tapes from the Johnsons, according to court records.

Johnson has said he routinely records surgeries with the patient's permission and promises to keep the video confidential "during the patient's lifetime."