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hatcoleman

I want a 2nd or 3rd opinion on surgery. Sent my test results and medical info. to both Mayo & Cleveland clinic. They recieved them a week ago monday. How long does it normaly take to get apt. with them ? Mayo has called me back and sending my info. to pulmonary for consultation. They said they would have me meet with surgeon and pulmonary when i visit. But have not heard from Cleveland Clinic. I would appreciate reply from some of you who have been patients at these two places. I plan on having my surgery at one of these two places. But cannot wait much longer according to my local cardiologist. Thanks for the replies.
 
I had my surgery at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota last April. I actually had received the name of a surgeon there from a local cardiologist as being the "go to guy" for my specific condition. I found his e-mail address on the internet and sent him an e-mail telling him about my condition, etc. He responded that same day and asked that I have my records sent to him. It probably took about two weeks for him to receive them from my Dr. here and get back to me. Once I heard back from him, I think I had an appointment in two weeks. They actually wanted to schedule surgery for that appointment. I had time and felt like I actually wanted to meet them first, so I didn't schedule my surgery for that first meeting.

I went there in December, had two days of the most complete testing I have ever had. They then wanted to schedule me for surgery in January, approx. two more weeks from that appointment. I ultimately chose a date in April that I was comfortable with.

If they have already been in touch with you, I would expect that you will find that they will move pretty quickly getting you in there.

If you need any more info about the Mayo, please don't hesitate to pm me and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Kim
 
I had my surgery at Cleveland Clinic. I only had one cardio appt prior to contacting C.C. My local cardiologist dropped the OHS bomb on me and I didn't have a clue that I even had an issue. I went to him to rule OUT heart issues, figured it was heartburn at worst. So after picking my face up off the floor I immediately called C.C. As soon as I heard OHS I pretty much knew I was going to go to C.C. Its only 2 hours away and its reputation speaks for itself. When I initially called C.C. they offered me an appointment but it was like 3 weeks out. So waiting 3 weeks simply wasn't going to work for me. I was completely freaking out so I got on the C.C. website and started poking around. I found the surgeons and figured it couldn't hurt to try calling one and seeing if I could arrange an appointment. I called Dr P based on his reputation and I felt very fortunate that his assistant helped me get my documentation in front of him. I overnighted my stuff on a Monday and by Thursday I had Dr P agreeing to be my surgeon (he confirmed I definitely needed surgery). With him as my surgeon his office arranged an appointment with a cardiologist on staff who specialized in valve disease for the following week. Of course they wanted to run their own tests and have a staff cardiologist look them over. So that was basically my 2nd and 3rd opinions. I met them both face to face, we confirmed everything (I still had a really hard time getting my brain around the whole thing) and he offered me the surgery as soon as the next week (which I took).

Given the size of C.C. my suggestion would be to followup with them for a status and if you don't get satisfaction consider taking the same approach I did and contacting a surgeon directly.
 
I went to Mayo for my second opinion, with Dr. Heidi Connolly. They were scheduling out a long time for consults. I don't remember how long, but it was at least two months, maybe three.
 
deogloria said:
I went to Mayo for my second opinion, with Dr. Heidi Connolly. They were scheduling out a long time for consults. I don't remember how long, but it was at least two months, maybe three.
Click to expand...

I wonder if you go through the surgeon if you get in faster. I also see Dr. Connolly and it did take me two months to schedule my visit that is coming up. By the way Deogloria, where are you having your surgery?

Kim
 
Kim,

I'm having it at Abbott Northwestern. I had originally wanted to do Mayo, but with it being an extra hour away, and since my in-laws really can't be trusted with the kids for too long at a time, it would have been difficult. This way, my husband can leave to visit me at lunch time, before the kids' naps, and stay until late in the evening. Then the in-laws only need to care for the kids between nap and bedtime. If he had to travel two hours each way, there would be no way he could visit. I really need him to be there with me as much as possible the first day or two.

When I found out that Abbott's outcomes were good, and my risk of death was only around 1%, I felt comfortable doing it there. Plus, they did my c-section in the heart hospital OR, and I stayed in the heart ICU, and had stayed in the heart hospital previously, so I'm familiar with it. They have nice diggs. :)

My surgeon will be Dr. Tim Kroshus. He seems very nice. He took the time to answer all my questions, and didn't rush me. The other surgeon that my doc recommended I didn't care for at all. Very abrupt, and told me my symptoms were "in my head." Next! I need a doctor I feel I can trust. I just can't trust a guy who doesn't treat me respectfully. My cardio said Dr. Kroshus has about the same skill level, so I'm definitely going with him instead.
 
I have had all my surgeries at Abbott Northwestern. Dr Kroshus did the last one and I liked him alot. I would use either Eales or Kroshus without a second thought. The care given by the staff is wonderful. My first surgery was 30 years ago so I do have years of experience with them. Good luck to you. If you have any more questions just holler.
Kathleen
 
It can sometimes take a while to get into CC (the #1 rated Heart Hospital) based on some comments I've read here.

Have you considered anything closer to home?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a Top Rated Heart Hospital with at least 2 Heart Transplant Surgeons on staff. I recently wrote a profile of the 4 UAB surgeons I know under one of CA Pigg's threads. She got an appointment with Dr. McGiffin (a delightful Aussie and excellent 'High Risk' surgeon) in less than 3 weeks after calling his office direct.

Dr. Petracek at Vanderbilt is a Nationally Known Surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery by Thoracotomy (through the ribs). He favors St. Jude Valves.

There are several TOP Surgeons in Atlanta at Emory Crawford Long Hospital / Emory University and St. Joseph's Hospital (Peachtree CardioVascular... see their website).

'AL Capshaw'
 
I waited a couple of months for my consult with Dr Bruce Lytle at CC. I did not "take the bull by the horns" and call for anything sooner. I waited for them to call me after my cardio sent the records. I needed the time to get my brain around it. Total shock when the murmur was discovered. I agree....if you call the surgeon's office directly they most likely will "give it a push".
 
If your travelling that far away from home. Have you considered Hopkins? They rank up there with the other 2 and their 2 lead surgeons schedule pretty quickly. Just a thought for you.
 
Mayo called me back wed. Afternoon i could see the surgeon this friday. But i chose this coming tuesday march 10th. That would give me a few days to book a flight and hotel. Have test beginning @ 7:30am tues and meet with surgeon @ 4:00pm sugeon is dr. Greason, anyone know anything about him ? Have not recieved a call back from cleveland clinic yet.
 
Just a comment on the 4PM surgeon consult. I did the 7AM testing thing at CC with a 4:30 PM surgeon visit. I saw the surgeon at 9:30 PM> It was a Monday and I think emergency issues kept him in surgery ......just be prepared for an "all day/night" if necessary. I was at CC...but I think all of these heart centers are extremely busy.
 
Thank you all for your replies & suggestions. I will let you know how appt. Turns out.
 
My appointment with my surgeon at Mayo was at 4 pm. Unfortunately, I'm the one that got tied up (they decided to move my MRI up a day so they would have the results earlier) so, he waited for me until 5:30 when I was done. It is a long day so when I had a break between appointments, I went back to my hotel and laid down for a while. Good luck this week.

Kim
 
Dr Gosta Pettersson at Cleveland Clinic is the BEST. You probably will not see him initially. There is a team of doctors that work together. You will meet him the night before the surgery. We can not say enought positive comments about Dr. P. If you have a major issue, you can get a rapid appointment scheduled, but you need to do the pushing.
 
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