Take Control of Your Care

Seriously?  I know that many doctors and pharmacists are not knowledgeable about the lap band.  But really?  On Sunday, I went to the doctor because my kids and me are sick.  They both got prescriptions and the doctor said I looked like I had a sinus infection and she recommended that I give it a day or two to see if it got better on its own - but if I was not better by Wednesday, I should take something.  I told her I could not take pills and that I wanted liquid Levaquin.  She wrote the prescription.  Tuesday night I had a temperature so I dropped the prescription off at Rite Aid.  They said they did not have it in stock and they would order it.  Wednesday they called to say they could not get it.  I called 20 different pharmacies and none had the liquid formulation.  Turns out that Levaquin pills cannot be crushed.  After 6 phone calls to my doctor and pharmacist, I finally took my care into my own hands.  Just give me liquid Augmentin and I will see if it works.  Round and round and round.  It is very frustrating.  My resolution came only after I called the pharmacy at NYU, where my surgery was done.  They made the recommendation because they know how to care for lapband patients.  Do not take for granted that doctors know how to care for you.... they are only our partners - they are guides.  We need to ultimately ensure that we get appropriate and suitable care.

Lapband surgery is quickly becoming the most COMMON surgery in the United States....is there a chance that the average small town physician will embrace the learning curve?