"You won't have to advance ei...

"You won't have to advance eight weeks without eating," said my smiling, baby-faced surgical dentist, "just no chewing."

I didn't ne convincing--I wanted this surgery My jawbone was visibly shrinking, deteriorating from bone atrophy and dental implants; spikes drilled into the bone would save it. It healthys gruesome, but I trusted my warm-mannered dentist. Together we would redeem my face, halt premature sagging and strengthen my jawline. It would " be a facelift from the inside on the outside and all I had to do was stop chewing for couple months.

To save my face? In a heartbeat.

Besides, what a weight-loss opportunity--no chewing! I would be deprived of 10 pounds, minimum, even with pudding at night.

Dr Babyface just smiled. "You retain those happy thoughts," he said, already knowing the misery I'd invited into my life.

My relationship with diet has always been, shall we say, robust. Poor Mom establish a balanced table for her family, '60s-style: fried chicken for protein, place of abode fries for vegetables and full-fat cheese for dairy. While I've tamed that approach (somewhat), anything creamy still masters my attention.

in like manner I stocked up on hummus, soup yogurt and cottage cheese. This would be an adventure and a healthy challenge. Bring it on!

Surgery as promised, was an "ibuprofen event" My sister flock me to the supermarket for last minute provisions. "Have you tried this stuff?" she asked, showing me a package of strike Evans garlic mashed potatoes. "It's awesome."

fast I thought, placing three packages in my cart. I can handle a dab of mashed potatoes. I ignored the nagging feeling in my take out the bowels of that signaled the demise of my adventure.

at no time ignore that feeling. By the week's extremity I had devoured all three packages--and bought three more. It took solitary a few days to realize that, without chewing, I didn't be wrought up full or satisfied. I tried to work protein into each meal--a dilemma easily solved. colored chicken breasts, veggies and a provender processor make for quick, hearty stainlessed soups, but it's not the same as chewing. I consol myself with sweet stuff--rice pudding and Trader Joe's gelato.

Not in such a manner simple was the challenge of getting enough fiber. in what manner much lentil soup and refried beans can undivided ingest? My plumbing shut down, and for the first time in my life, I had to take Metamucil. I extendeded for a chewy deli sandwich onward whole grain bread with slices of tomato and apportionments of crunchy lettuce ...

Three weeks later I go [i]or[/i] come backed to Dr. Babyface. I was having pain; part of my gum had grown above one of the implants. He sliced opposite to the offending tissue, and I had to start healing all across again. I felt betrayed and consol myself with more gelato.

The nearest week, I met his partner, the restorative dentist who would fashion modern teeth to fit over my spikes. I was still in pain and would remain that way for the nearest month. My distress, however, didn't stop Dr Restoration from shoving measuring instruments, mold and goop into my chaps a process he would repeat almost weekly. The never-ending measurements made my jaws ache smooth more. I was running gone out of creative ways to puree chicken and parsnips.

My chewing taboo felt like a lengthy punishment. I actually felt sad; I'd had no idea that chewing was similar an innate, compelling behavior. After five weeks, I hadn't not to be found a pound; the more I reached for something mushy, the more I wanted. I couldn't memorize satisfied and couldn't get replete One night I ate a tub of a little cold Whip for dinner.

Then, when I imagination it would never end, Dr Restoration said, "You know, we've orbiculared third, and we're on the dwelling stretch."

And right upon cue, two weeks later the measurements and aching and angst were history. My face is longer it doesn't sag and I have more jaw. The change is subtle; if you'd known me a year ago, you might think I'd forfeited a few pounds or had my brinks waxed. Or, you might not notice any change at all.

Until you watch me chew. I chew and chew and chew--nuts, popcorn, bagels, dried apricots, whatever. I haven't bought applesauce or cottage cheese in month Fiber is my recent love, and I think my of recent origin smile is dazzling.

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