I'm traveling to Rochester, MN from Kansas City, MO

I had open heart surgery at Mayo several years ago. I was travelling from California and had a small child, so I also did not want to travel there twice. I was able to communicate with the doctors and schedulers in advance of my visit so that I was able to schedule both testing and surgery in one visit.

I first sent the cardiologist my testing reports from my home so we knew what my tentative plans were as long as Mayo's testing corroborated those findings. Then, I scheduled the testing for the first two days of my visit and the surgery for the third day. It worked out perfectly and in total, I was in Rochester for just about 2 weeks. If they had decided that surgery was not indicated, they would have just cancelled my surgery appointment. The schedulers are quite used to this kind of thing and will accomodate if they are able. Sometimes you may have to wait for scheduling (I waited for a few months in order to assure that both my cardiologist and surgeon would be there and available) but it worked out great. Wishing you the best.

Wow, thanks, that IS EXACTLY my plan. Just so unsure about it. But I'm<br />
finding the same idea on most of the comments. Thanks again<br />

I live in Topeka, not far from KC. I would say that it is important to remind them whenever scheduling is happening that you are 6 hours away. They are so fantastic and sometimes just need to realize your unique situation and priority. It sounds like your initial appointment is set already. For the future I would recommend asking for a Monday appointment if possible so you minimize the need to stay over a weekend.

Oh WOW this is the most helpful information! Thank u so much.<br />
That'sy.problrm not knowi.g how to plan the stay n all.<br />
I assumed they have to tell u that info AFTER consultation. So, now that I<br />
realize my septum was also destroyed during my first jaw surgery thus the<br />
agony and dizziness and a number of symptoms I thought were all due to my<br />
jaw surgeries..... I am trying to get in with an ENT as well and my Dr at<br />
Mayo has received all those recorded CT , so on and I asked him to<br />
recommend me for the ENT Dept as well. WHICH right now means another<br />
seperate trip n I am.alone in this w a daughter who will fly out for the<br />
actual.surgery.<br />
So......how .... who do I speak to a about the extent of scheduling you<br />
spoke of?<br />
No one explained it to me that I could do so much prep b4 Hand.... just<br />
come in n see .... like any reg doctor does.<br />
I'm guess im asking for the dept to speak to for this. Oral Maxillofacial<br />
dept is for the jaw and ENT us for the nose. Tho I can only imagine<br />
still... them saying .... no we have to access it first. Lol I had no idea<br />
<br />

Colleen, thank you so very much this has been full of information for me to<br />
better understand. I just received information from a "Cynaburst"<br />
explaining that i can indeed find out about when any testing can talke<br />
place and she was even able to have that scheduled and her actual surgery<br />
scheduled. Then they would cancel it if they decided on another route. WOW<br />
Coming in by myself with my daughter planning on flying out when the actual<br />
surgery takes place this was a revelation for me. Also i asked my Oral<br />
Maxillofacial doctor to recomend me to see and ENT, (not sure if i already<br />
told you sorry if so) for the damage to the septum as i only now discovered<br />
in my CT. All the records have been received by Dr Fillmore and I am<br />
wondering how in the world I would go about getting these kinds of details<br />
confirmed b4 going? Possibly scheduling with both doctors, finding out a<br />
testing schedule and if both surgeries can be done at the same fisit or if<br />
I have to wait till one is healed (of course the jaw is the worse one) b4<br />
getting the nasal repares.<br />
So what departments do i contact about finding out exact scheduling of<br />
tests and even surgery? Her comment was the schedulers are used to dong<br />
this expecially if you are traveling.<br />
Again Thank you<br />
Liz<br />
<br />

thank you, i did call the dept and they only schedule after the first<br />
consultation in Oral Maxillofacial and in the ENT dept as well. I was ready<br />
to wait it out and see both of them and have it all lined out, lol. but i<br />
certainly understand the reason. This Doc only sees first time patients on<br />
Thursdays and Fridays so i have planned an over the weekend stay. thank you<br />
so much<br />

Do you recommend using Mayo Travel or going direct through airline? I have appt at Mayo in Feb for first time. Any recommendations on hotels, too would be great!!😊

I have not had any experience with Mayo Travel, I usually use a web site to compare flight options and then book thru airlines. Google Flight can show options. There are other web sites that do same thing. You can fly directly into Rochester (RST), or Minneapolis (MSP). If fly into MSP, there are shuttles to Rochester.

If fly into Rochester, can rent car or take shuttle to hotel.

Laurie

Hi @suzishep,
I would start by getting your travel and accommodation questions answered by someone at the free Concierge Services at Mayo Clinic. The staff at the concierge desk can help with hotel/lodging recommendations, according to your wishes of proximity, price and space requirements. Here is how you can contact them:

* Phone: 507-538-8438
* Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
* Email: concierge@mayo.edu

@lmindela can tell you more.

Suzi, which Mayo Clinic location are you going to in February: AZ, FL or MN?

Hello @elizabethcharis
If you have time to call the Concierge Services please do so, we can provide lodging and travel information tailored to your needs.
Patient travel services is a very good service especially if you are coming to Mayo for the first time. Since you won't know the length of your stay Patient Travel Services can book you a round trip ticket which that can changed at any given time should your appointment schedule change. They do charge a $25 fee per individual or $50 for a family. Mayo Patient travel is also able to get patient discounts from Delta, American and United airlines. You can contact PTS at this number 866-551-3392 from 9 AM to 5:30 PM (CST).