Hi Kate, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You ask some amazing questions. Some of them, members of the community can offer their tips and experiences to help you prepare. For the specific questions about length of consultation, timing and follow-up, you may wish to call the the appointments office as the answers will be specific to you.

Let me connect you with other members and discussions that I think you'll find helpful. Ready? It's going to be a lot of links and info.
Connect with other members, like @lisafl @kariulrich @blossom2016, talking about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome here:
- Chronic Erythema Nodosum & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-erythema-nodosum/
- Possible Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with craniocervical instability https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/possible-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-with-craniocervical-instability/

@kariulrich is also a patient mentor at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. She may be able to answer more specific questions for you. @lisafl is a Mayo Florida patient.

To learn more about how first visits work, see these discussions:
- Tips for first dr visit and tests/appt schedules https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-first-dr-visit-and-testsappt-schedules/
- What happens following a Mayo appointment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-happens-following-a-mayo-appointment/
- Travelogue about a visit to the HCM Clinic at Mayo Clinic - Rochester https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/travelogue-about-a-visit-to-the-hcm-clinic-at-mayo-clinic-rochester/
– How to get the most out of a visit? http://mayocl.in/2n5eXSH
– First visit to Mayo: Traveling alone http://mayocl.in/2hgasVG
– Getting your first appointment http://mayocl.in/2iNdgpc

In this discussion, members share tips about getting started with a new specialist.
- Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/

Here are some practical suggestions:
- Suggestions for a stay at Mayo Rochester https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/suggestions-for-a-stay-at-mayo-rochester/
- What are your accommodation recommendations when coming to Mayo? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-are-your-accommodation-recommendations-when-coming-to-mayo/
- What are your suggestions for a quiet place to relax between appts? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-are-your-suggestions-for-a-quiet-place-to-relax-between-appts/
- Where do you park when visiting the Rochester Mayo Clinic location? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/where-do-you-park-when-visiting-the-rochester-mayo-clinic-location/

Lastly (for now), I highly recommend contacting @jannaconciergeb or @lmindela at Mayo Clinic Concierge Services – it is a free service that you can use prior and during your visit to help you find services, such as accommodations, transportation and things to do. You can contact them by email, phone, chat or in person during business hours:

* Phone: 507-538-8438
* Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
* Email: concierge@mayo.edu
* Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services

Keep the questions coming, Kate.