Patient
Get every single thing in writing!!! They do NOT provide adequate pain care once you leave the hospital--regardless of what is promised during the consultation. Get everything (including your follow-up care plan) in writing BEFORE YOU undergo any surgeries !!! Please do not be misled by the reassurances you receive beforehand. We were explicitly told that pain management would be a priority and that it would be appropriately addressed after surgery. That was NOT the case. Our family member, a 76-year-old patient, underwent a major lung/lobe removal and was sent home with just 50mg of Tramadol--an insufficient and inappropriate level of pain control for such a serious procedure. She is not someone who takes or NOR abuses pain medication, and has never had any issues with any prescription drugs. Yet, her post-operative pain has been completely dismissed and untreated once she was discharged, by the doctor and the staff. Dr. Espinal comes across as confident and reassuring--apparently he's highly respected and came well recommended, but turns out, he's a smooth talker who makes you believe everything will be fine. But when the patient goes home, they're left to suffer, and the promises made during the consult vanish. This has been a heartbreaking and deeply frustrating experience. We, as the patient's family, feel misled--and most importantly, the patient feels abandoned by a physician who vowed to support her recovery. We strongly urge others to ask hard questions, get things in writing, and be extremely cautious if pain management is a concern for your loved one. This experience has left us highly dissatisfied and disappointed. Unfortunately, the 76-year-old patient, my grandmother, is regretting every moment of this and also feels like Dr Espinal was just a used car salesman. Lies and broken promises. I don't think she will ever be the same. JUST FOR REFERENCE: My 70 lb American bully dog, is prescribed the SAME 50 mils of tramadol for arthritis, That grandma was sent home with after a lung removal. (IF THAT TELLS YOU ANYTHING)