by Lori Lundin

Doug had his temporary teeth adhered to his mouth.  The appointment took about an hour, again with no pain.  Already, he has a million dollar smile and these are just the temporaries.  He came back to the hotel, had a nice dinner and went for a massage.  The hour long massage cost thirty five dollars. 

The next day, our Planet Hospital guide/concierge/country manager Ricardo took us to do a little sight seeing.  First stop, about 45 minutes from San Salvador…Lake Coatepeque, a crater from an erupted volcano….now one of El Salvador’s most beautiful places.   As we arrive, a glorious panoramic view from the top. Houses are sprinkled along the hillsides as we drive down to the lake, the road turns to dirt and we see a mixture of beautiful homes and small primitive village huts.

We arrive for lunch on the lake at a little open air restaurant with palm thatched roofs…serving fish fresh from the lake.  The portions are huge and they are very accommodating to Doug who is still required to eat soft food. One thing I can say about El Salvador…the people here are incredibly kind.  After lunch, we head to Joya de Ceren, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only place in the Mayan World where you can see the ruins of Mayan homes. This is also called the Pompeii of America because it was covered by ash from the Volcano Loma Caldera approximately 1400 years ago.  This was fascinating to see and we are glad to have Ricky with us to interpret as the tour guide explains. Next time, we hope to go to more historic ruins, the pyramids of San Andres.

The next day…we are taken into the mountains of Western El Salvador.  We visit small towns in Western El Salvador where we see Salvadorians walking along the road with baskets on their heads…apparently carrying just picked coffee. We are in the region where coffee plantations are everywhere.  We also see many volcanoes along the way.  Coffee is one of the few exports coming out of this country.

Driving along the famous flower route, we have lunch in one of several interesting colonial towns..and drive back through colorful towns known for their artisan products.  There are many crafts made here including woven products, paintings and furniture from coffee wood.

The next day, we decide to head to the beach for one night.  Ricardo picks us up and we head to Costa Del Sol, which is supposed to be one of the nicer beaches here.  Most have black sand, and apparently El Salvador is known for it’s world class surfing.   On the way we stop for lunch at a Papusaria.  The papusa is the trademark food here.  It’s like a puffy tortilla made to order and filled with beans, cheese or meat.  They’re delicious.

The beach is hot and humid, but the pacific breeze allows us to enjoy our pina coladas with a good book and a hammock.  Tomorrow, we’ll head back to San Salvador for one last visit to Dr. Lorenzana.  He’ll remove Doug’s stitches ( he has a mouthful) and we’ll head to the airport.

Lori Lundin is a News Anchor/Reporter with Fox News Radio

Your daily health watch for Friday, February 29, 2008. This page will be updated throughout the day as we post new stories and videos to FoxNews Health. Please feel free to post your comments to any of our stories here, or send email to health@foxnews.com.

Study: Large Doses of Vitamin E Linked to Lung Cancer

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Home Paternity Tests Headed to a Drugstore Near You

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Woman Gives Birth to Baby Nearly Her Own Size

Stacey Herald is a little more than 2-feet tall and she recently gave birth to an 18-inch baby.

Boy, 10, Suffering From Deadly Childhood ‘Alzheimer’s

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FDA Says ‘Blow’ Energy Drink Glorifies Drug Use

The Food and Drug Administration is threatening to take legal action against the energy drink mix “Blow,” if they don’t clean up their image, it is being reported by ABC News.

Nurse’s Aide Accused of Abusing, Urinating On Patients

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USDA Places 2 Federal Inspectors on Leave Over Beef Recall

A union that represents federal meat inspectors says the U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended at least two employees following the largest beef recall in history.

Cabbage Soup - The Home Stretch…

We’re almost there! The final days of the Cabbage Soup Diet are winding down — and as I look back - I’ve definitely learned a few things about my eating habits. I have always considered myself a pretty healthy eater, but while I was on this plan, it occurred to me that I don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. They’re usually on my plate, but probably not enough of them. This diet also helped me create different combinations of vegetables cooked in various ways with different spices. I guess when you’re stuck eating only veggies for a few days, the creative juices start to flow.

Talking with Karlie, she agreed. More fruits and veggies are the way to go. She made another valid point too. She has learned to be more aware of what she is actually putting into her mouth, and she’s making sure to drink more water, something she didn’t do before this diet.

So call it a “fad diet” if you will. But it did help the both of us “kick start” some better and healthier eating habits.

After the seven days on the Cabbage Soup Diet we have both lost five pounds — and as a result we are keeping better track of what we are eating, when we are eating and why and how it is prepared. There are more fruits and vegetables in our diet, lower carbohydrate intake, less sugar and more exercise. I have personally lost another four pounds keeping this healthy lifestyle.

Again, thank you to all who wrote in and supported us through this. And remember, if you have your own health question for Dr. Manny, please write in to drmanny@foxnews.com

Day 5 - Menu

Beef and Tomatoes Day!

You may have 10-20 ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomatoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once today. You may eat broiled or baked skinless chicken instead of beef. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Using stewed tomatoes can sauce up your chicken or beef. Add some Italian seasonings for a different flavor. For dinner try chicken and tomato kabobs with some different seasonings.

Day 6 - Menu

Beef and Vegetables Day!

Eat all the beef and vegetables you want on this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like. Eat a lot of of vegetables, making sure you have a lot of leafy green ones. No Baked Potato. Eat your soup at least once. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: There are many ways to make your veggies taste good, on this day try different spices, grill them, boil them, eat them raw. You have endless options. For lunch or dinner you can make steak kabobs with grilled vegetables. Also, try sliced flank steak or grilled chicken over a green salad.

Day 7 - Menu

Brown Rice & Veggie Day!

You can eat as much brown rice and vegetables today. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Lost at what to have for breakfast? Again, using sweet spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can add a different flavor to your brown rice. For lunch or dinner, try sautéing a variety of vegetables and mix in brown rice with low sodium soy sauce in a wok to create a Asian style stir-fry. Remember to drink lots of water and/or unsweetened fruit juices.

Click here to see Days 1-4

by Lori Lundin 

We came her for dental work, and it’s been more like a vacation.  So far, the dental care my husband has received has exceeded our expectations.  I would even say it’s been superior to what we’ve had in the states.  The level of hospitality, concern for his well being, and the short time it’s taken to get the work done has been nothing short of amazing. In the states, Doug was told it would take 2 years to complete his treatment plan, here he’ll have had a total of five visits and a whole lot of fun in the process.  This has been an eye opening experience.  Doug had major work done. Bone grafts, extractions and titanium implants (like a screw that goes into the bone…and slowly adheres to it so you can attach a crown). Doug has had absolutely no pain.

The day after the big surgery, Doctor Lorenzana called to see if Doug was feeling okay, and up for a day at his beach house.  Doug has been taking his antibiotics and anti-inflammatory and feeling just fine.  We couldn’t pass up the offer.  The doctor picked us up and off we went.  It was spectacular.  Driving through small villages, you see very few tourists in this country, so it’s easy to get a flavor for the culture.  There are many more modern amenities than you’d imagine.  You can find just about anything you would in the states.

Driving down a dirt road with women selling fruit and barefooted children playing…we arrive at a beautiful home right on the beach.  An open air patio with incredible ocean breezes.  We’re given a room to use for changing or resting.  A lovely young Salvadorian couple live and work on the property.  They make us lunch as we listen to the Pacific waves crashing and relax in hammocks. What a way to heal from dental work. I can’t imagine doing this with my dentist in the states.  We’re being treated like family and getting great care.  Doesn’t get much better than this.  Tomorrow, Doug will get his temporary crowns and then end the day with a massage at the hotel. 

Lori Lundin is a News Anchor/Reporter with Fox News Radio

Your daily health watch for Thursday, February 28, 2008. This page will be updated throughout the day as we post new stories and videos to FoxNews Health. Please feel free to post your comments to any of our stories here, or send email to health@foxnews.com.

Study: Spanking May Lead to Sexual Problems Later in Life

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Nexium Acid Reflux Drug Approved for Kids Ages 1-11

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Housecleaners Lending Cancer Patients a Hand

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Nev. Clinic May Have Exposed Thousands to Hep. C

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Australian Teen Is Allergic to Water

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13-Year-Old Girl Is Allergic to Everything

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MMR Kids Vaccine Linked to Fever-Related Convulsions

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Group Warns Crowded Cribs Linked to Baby Deaths

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FOXSexpert: Bridesmaids, Watch Your Backs

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CDC Panel Urges Flu Shots for All Children

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All day Gwen Stefani’s song has been in my head… “Bananas - B-an-an-as”

Banana day wasn’t so bad, but the hardest thing I found was not having my “diet buddy.”

I think over the past few days, the most important thing I’ve learned is that support is everything. Doing a diet alone, the temptations shout out at you. Having a partner in crime to be there with you is a lot easier. My suggestion is, doing a diet, get a buddy!

Again, Karlie and I are only doing this for the seven days. We do not intend for this to be a long term plan. We are testing it out to see what all the hoopla is about. We love your comments, so keep them coming. Also, if you have your own health question for Dr. Manny (our beloved boss), please email them to DrManny@foxnews.com

Day 4 - Menu

Banana Day!

Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day. Remember to eat your soup. Supposedly this day will help lessen your desire for sweets. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Eating just bananas and milk all day can be weird and boring.  Try adding one banana with fat-free plain yogurt in a blender with cinnamon and a splash of milk… instant banana shake!

Click here to see all 5 days of the Cabbage Soup Diet

by Lori Lundin  

The major portion of treatment will be done today with Doug under twilight anesthesia.  He’ll have seven titanium dental implants, three extractions and two bone grafts.  This much work in one day is quite invasive, which is why he will need to be sedated.

It is sunny and 85 degrees, the birds are chirping outside our hotel window and Doug says he is ready.  Our host, Ricky, picks us up and drives us to the dental office nearby. Another day of big welcomes from the staff. 

The dentist has two assistants, both Salvadorian female dentists and an anesthesiologist.  They all look like they are ready for a major surgery, dressed in sterile clothing.

Doug sits down in the chair and the anesthesiologist begins the intravenous sedation process.  He explains every step to Doug: that he will sedate him and inject antibiotics through the IV. Doug quickly goes under and I’m asked to leave the room.

Waiting

Ricky and I go to the local grocery store to buy soft foods for Doug to eat.  We buy chocolate pudding, yogurt, applesauce and best of all… baby food!  He won’t be able to eat anything solid for a while.  Ricky drops me off at the hotel and tells me he will pick me up when the procedure is finished. 

I go back at the Sheraton, sit by the pool and read a book while I wait for the surgery to finish.

About three hours later, Ricky calls to say Doug’s surgery is finished. 

We arrive back at the dentist where they are slowly bringing Doug out of anesthesia.  Every 10 minutes a nurse comes in and raises his chair up a little more until he is ready to stand.  When he does, he’s groggy, but alert.  They help Doug out to the car and Ricky takes us to the local pharmacy to pick up prescriptions the doctor has ordered.  He will have to take an antibiotic and a painkiller. 

Special Treatment

We bring him back to the hotel with instructions for Doug to take it easy the rest of the day.  He is immediately hungry (he didn’t eat breakfast).

His first treat - ice cream. 

This was a tough day, but Doug seems to be doing incredibly well.  He says he feels no pain.  Dr. Lorenzana says tomorrow will be a rest day, but if Doug is up for it; he would like to take us to spend the day at his beach house.  That’s certainly not the usual prescription we get from a dentist in the United States, but it is enticing nonetheless.

The doctor says he will call us in the morning to check in.

Doug spends the evening in our hotel room. For dinner, room service sends up a beautiful plate of mashed potatoes, refried beans and applesauce.

Lori Lundin is a News Anchor/Reporter with Fox News Radio

Your daily health watch for Wednesday, February 27, 2008. This page will be updated throughout the day as we post new stories and videos to FoxNews Health. Please feel free to post your comments to any of our stories here, or send email to health@foxnews.com.

Woman Charged in Plastic Surgery Death of N.J. Cop

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Coma, Paralysis: Woman Fights Off Rare Illness

A 22-year-old has rallied back from a coma due to a disease that once baffled doctors, it is being reported by McClatchy Newspapers.

Doctor Accused of Speeding Man’s Death to Get Organs

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Study: Acupuncture May Help Menstrual Pain

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Woman Told She Couldn’t Have Kids Has 9, Twins on Way

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Drug-Resistant TB Spreading Fast

Drug-resistant tuberculosis is spreading even faster than medical experts had feared, the World Health Organization warned in report issued Tuesday.

Craving - crav·ing (krā’vĭng) n. A consuming desire; a yearning.

It’s day 3, and Karlie and I have been experiencing some weird cravings. Sometimes things that we would never eat. We were walking down the street in Manhattan’s Chelsea area and to our surprise, a group of French tourists were eating what smelled like the best pizza in the world. We tried to get close to simply inhale the beautiful aroma of tomatoes, basil and cheese… oh wonderful cheese.

I found that smell became my worst enemy. Getting into the subway, a girl eating McDonald’s… walking through the Manhattan Mall, the sweet scents of Cinnabon… who is eating French Fries? Co-workers tried their hardest not to tempt us, but the delicious smells of Italian leftovers warmed up for lunch were tough to ignore. Maybe day 4 will be easier?

Day 3 - Menu

Fruit and Vegetable Day!

Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Try a green salad with fruits like berries, apples, and pears on top. Missing salad dressing? Squeeze fresh lemon on top instead. And if you are craving meat, try grilling some Portobello mushrooms with non-fat olive oil spray over a bed of spinach!

Click here to see all 5 days of the Cabbage Soup Diet

by Lori Lundin 

Once we decided to go to El Salvador to have Doug’s teeth fixed, the people at Planet Hospital made all the arrangements.  They gave us hotel options, made airline reservations and set everything up with the doctor.  We would be provided with a “country host,” which is like a personal concierge or tour guide.

We flew out of JFK in New York City at 8 a.m. and arrived via a direct flight just after noon in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

We were greeted by our host Ricardo, who took us for a typical Salvadorian lunch and then for a brief meet-and-greet with the dentist. 

The office was modern, clean and cheerful.  The office staff was warm and welcoming.  While we sat in a comfortable lounge, we were offered beverages and had a lovely conversation with the doctor. 

He did a brief exam of Doug’s mouth and made a few slight changes to the treatment plan.

He went over everything in detail with Doug:  Doug would come in the next day for prep work and cleaning; he would have the major work done the following day.

Ricardo, also known as “Ricky,” then took us to check into our hotel.

An enormous bouquet of flowers greeted us when we walked into our room.

Dr. Lorenzana sent them with a note welcoming us to El Salvador.

The room overlooked a pool with a waterfall; the air smelled of tropical plants and the temperature was in the 80s.  We heard it was snowing in New York.

Lori Lundin is a News Anchor/Reporter with Fox News Radio