@admgrn I had one consult at Mayo (including the multiple appointments and testing) that were completed in a week. I was offered surgery at the first meeting with the neurosurgeon on my 2nd day there. He already had all the information he needed because they are so organized and efficient, so it was easy. I waited about 5 weeks for my surgery to get on his schedule. I could have had a 2 week wait, but I was still trying to get ready at home for my long recovery. I had follow ups and returned to Mayo in person at 6 weeks post op, 3 months post op and 1 year post op. Some of those followups could have been done remotely, but I preferred to go back to Mayo. They used dissolving sutures, so I didn't have to return to have any removed. They can sent orders for X-rays to be done where you live and then the disc is mailed back to Mayo because they do try to make it easier for commuter patients. You could ask about virtual follow ups. Perhaps that is preferable now that there is the pandemic to worry about and public exposure while traveling. There is real concern about another wave with the delta variant and we don't know what will happen with it.

I don't think it is a bad idea to have virtual appointments. You have to do what you are comfortable with and to get all your questions answered and it saves travel expense. You have to be completely comfortable and thrust the surgeon. I need to meet someone in person to do that, but maybe you don't need that. Ask about that too at your virtual appointment. Maybe that is why you have a couple appointments instead of one like I had as in person at Mayo. Maybe you can have all the pre-op appointments as virtual, but you need to decide what works best for you. They are very accommodating as the motto is the needs of the patient come first. If you need a virtual appointment with the surgeon who will be doing the surgery, ask for it. You might be able to get all your questions answered before that and that could be a short meeting because the surgeons are very very busy. You can also send messages on the patient portal. Sometimes a nurse calls you back with answers if the list gets long. I just contacted Mayo about following up with my surgeon on some new symptoms and he is already booked out more than 3 months with a wait list. I talk about him a lot on here by name, so perhaps I have sent him a lot of patients.

I had a plan in mind when I returned at my 6 week follow up.
Here is the story. https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

This link has lots of information on planning and packing for travel to Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/preparing-for-your-visit
Mayo Clinic in Rochester also has Concierge Services to help make your trip go smoothly. They provide information about travel, lodging, Mayo Clinic and community resources to plan your visit. And it’s free.

Now with the Live Chat service, concierge services provide preliminary trip planning for all 3 Mayo Clinic campuses in AZ, FL and MN.

Here are Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services

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
In-person in Rochester MN: Lobby hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Offices are located in the International Center in the Mayo Mathew’s Lobby, Executive Lounge on Mayo 5, Radiation Oncology Lobby – Desk R

So are you excited now?