Hi everyone, Ims eriously considering the surgery, ibe had UC for 8 uears and have habe exhausted every medication without success.

im thinking about going to the mayo clinic as a last ditch effort to see if they have any last ditch medication or therapies and also to get a surgical consult


can anyone please reccomend wwhich mayo clinic site is the best (Az, Minnesta, or jacksonville) and what doctors they reccomend? can anyone also relatr their experioences if they have gone?

thanks so much!

My name is Justin, I am from Rochester, MN and had my surgery just over two years ago. If you are looking for recommendations or anything else I can help with let me know. I had a few complications, but I don't think it was a problem with my surgery, but more I was so sick going into it. I also exhausted all medications and was going through IV steroid treatment before they decided to remove my large intestine, so I can probably relate and help where I can.

My husband had his three step surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN (June 15, 2005. November 2, 2005, and February 3, 2006). We were VERY impressed with the knowledge and kindness of the surgeons, nurses, etc. My husband had some complications (hematoma, blood clot, etc.), and they were taken care of right away. It was a really good experience for us. My husband's surgeon (Dr. Nivatvongs) has since retired, but I'm sure there are many other well-qualified surgeons there. I think the most important question to ask any potential surgeon is how many operations they have done. Practice makes perfect. Good luck finding the right place!

I was very happy with my experience at Mayo, in which I received better care for everything than I had ever received before. They were so good that they found a disease that my other Dr's did not even suspect I had! (I'm so lucky! LOL). It was a long trip for me, since I am about 12 hours away by car, but in my situation it was worth it since my local Dr's weren't seeing the whole picture.

The Clinic in Minnesota does have a very reputable IBD specialized staff and if you are looking for some of the best care in the world, that is where to go. The best part about Mayo is that everything moves so quickly. You can have an initial consult in the AM, have all of your testing done in the mid-day and meet back with your Dr's/team in the PM. I had 6-7 different tests done over 2 days and was ready to have my surgery on the 3rd day I was there.

But, the drawback to a long commute is that you will either have to make that same commute for followup care or find a qualified local physican to care for you afterwards. I would definately do it all over again the same way, but like I said my situation was a little bit different.

If you do decide that you're going to consult at Mayo and needs some info on travel, accomodations, or anything - feel free to send me a private message and I'll get back with you on it.

Rick

I am out in AZ, and know a great surgeon out here. She is the best of the best. Great bedside manner, great surgeon. Plus, the weather is great here too Let me know if you want more info!

I had my take down at the Rochester location about two months ago. Their reputation is well deserved! I have absolutely no complaints about the surgeon and his attending team. I didn't choose my surgeon because I was initially admitted in urgent care and was assigned to him. Even in non-urgent situations, I don't know how much choice you have; they have a particular system. But the department is so good that I wouldn't worry about it.

I was especially impressed with the nursing staff, some of whom are specifically interested in digestive diseases. One of my primary nurses had observed a take down as part of the training. It seems the Mayo treats their nursing staff well, which I think makes a big difference in the quality of care patients receive.

If you're lucky enough to have a choice, I don't think you could go wrong with the Mayo in Rochester!

I live in the Twin Cities, so Rochester Mayo was a natural choice for me. I was very interested in having my procedure done Lapro. The U of M, and Mayo were the only places available that I could find in the area. Best of Luck...

It looks like yuo are entertaining the idea of having to travel to somewhere to have this done. I don't have any suggetions as to where the best place to go is but I would like to let folks know that if they are financially strapped and transportation poses a problem, please look at a website called [URL=patienttravel.org]
They are a wonderful group of people that help patients find free air travel for youself and a carepartner. I used this to fly to Orlando for a surgery(I live in Ca.)
Please check them out
Julie

Hi I am from western MN and I also had my surgery at the Mayo in Rochester, MN. I had laproscopic surgery and the surgery went great. I went back three month later for the take down.

I wish you the best of luck.