Surgery during covid-19

@guidant07 Congratulations on your transplant! wow, 39 years with your new-to-you kidney is awesome!

It's understandable to be apprehensive to face medical procedures during these times. Here is a link to a discussion that talks about precautions and care during this time https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-traveling-and-getting-medical-care-safely-during-covid-19/ I hope you will find some solid information that will help you.

Have you expressed your concerns to your medical team, and sought their advice? Here is a link for the hospital where you will be, as it is one of Mayo clinic's hospitals, and their precautions https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota There have been several members who have recently visited the Mayo Clinic campus, expressing their satisfaction of precautions taken. @rosemarya, @jenniferhunter and @johnbishop come to mind off the top of my head.

I hope your fears are alleviated. Will you come back and let us know what you decide, please?
Ginger

@guidant07
I've known a lot of people who have had knee replacement surgery, most say the physical therapy is tough right after but they are very happy with the end result. It's difficult to remain in overall good health if you are in pain or can't be as mobile as you'd like. Mayo Clinic is taking abundant cautions so I think surgeries are very safe right now. I would schedule a call with your Dr. and ask about additional safety measures they have in place during Covid-19. I think you'll be very safe but YOU have to feel like you'll be very safe.

@guidant07, I've been to several appointments at my local Mayo Family Clinic and I have one scheduled for tomorrow at Rochester Mayo Clinic to get a 24 Holter monitor connected. Mayo is really on the ball for protecting both employees and patients. Masks are required and they also check your temp and ask you COVID-19 screening questions before you gain entrance to the buildings. It's certainly much safer than going to Costco or your local grocery store 🙂

Good luck on your knee replacement. I just had mine done a year ago April at Rochester Mayo Clinic only at the Methodist building. They are really good and will take care of you. Just make sure you follow the physical therapist and the surgeon/care team's instructions to make sure all goes well with the rehab. I did my rehab at home and was quite happy that I could do it at home.

I was just in Rochester last week with my husband for his 2 year liver transplant checkup. We both feel very comfortable while we were there. As the others have mentioned discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

I wish you the best of luck a and many blessings,
JoDee

Yes me too
Was down for a pre- surgery lab work and check-up with the transplant team and they also assured me of all the precautions bring taken. Thank you for your input.

Thank you John for your insight. Dr abdel did my hip replacement in 2018 and that went great. He will be doing my knee. Just get a little nervous about infection the hip surgery and now the are the only surgeries I have had since my transplant in 1981.

@guidant07 I just had surgery at Mayo in Rochester for a fractured ankle, and I was pleased with all the precautions Mayo is taking to protect patients and staff from Covid. I felt safe at Mayo. Everyone is wearing masks. I carried hand sanitizer with me while I was there, and there are a lot of places where you can access some. I was sent home same day as my surgery. What you should pay attention to is the hotel room where you will stay because you don't know if any staff or guests that had contact with the room are infected. The first thing I do is go in and open the windows to air out the room. I bring a HEPA air filter with me and that is running any time I'm in the room. I brought a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide to spray the bed, sheets, towels, furniture, etc. I cleaned all the surfaces, door knobs, TV remote, and the kitchen with a spray cleanser that I brought with me. I brought my own pillows and blanket because I didn't want to put my face where others put theirs. I also follow general guidelines to not touch my face, and I wash my face and hands often. Mayo will test patients for Covid before surgery and for Covid antibodies. My tests were negative, and I am fine, no issues except for normal healing of a fracture. I have been back to Mayo for follow up, and there were more patients there than my first visit, but still not at full capacity like it was 3 years ago when I had another surgery there. You can ride elevators by yourself, and there are floor markings for spacing reminders.

@guidant07 have to stayed at the Gift of Life before? Since you are a transplant patient you could stay there while you are in Rochester. You will know that it is clean and safe. Just something to think about.
JoDee

I just managed a 4 day stay for cardiac tests. The hospital staff were incredibly careful about masks, sanitation & not letting anybody (including staff) enter the hospital without the temperature check and screening. I felt very safe.

@guidant07, Just want to say Good Morning, and wishing you a comfortable recovery.