[Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh] took the time to look over our history had us repeat some tests that needed to be updated...if she doesn't have the answer, she will be truthful and ask for time so she can look more into it...if urgent, she will even answer via email in the middle of the night...The results weren't something either of us had hoped for, but I really felt her desire to help me every step of the way.
If they [staff at San Ramon] sense you might need a moment to compose yourself, they gave you space. Most importantly, they made efforts in remembering little details in your casual talks while trying to make you feel as comfortable as possible (sometimes while half naked!) Once I had an issue with my meds...they immediately jumped on it to ensure I got my medication for the week.
How was your experience with Aimee Eyvazzadeh at Aimee Eyvazzadeh?
Dr. Aimee is amazing. She's very smart and knowledgable and you can really get a sense of her passion and wanting to help you achieve your goals.
She'll take the time to listen to you and address any concerns you might have AND give you time to think things over if she senses its something you are not comfortable with. Ultimately if you aren't fully committed, she will go back to the drawing board with you and come up with something else. If she doesn't have the answer, she will be truthful and ask for time so she can look more into it.
Some people might be put off by her being direct but it's a plus to me--she will not sugar coat things. If there is not enough time during your appointment (rarely happens) but she will follow up later via phone or email.
I have had times I don't quite comprehend, so walk out of my appointment confused--the fertility journey is very overwhelming and can be clouded with so much information. Those instances, I'd email her 20 questions she will answer ALL of them. Too much to email? She will ask if she can call to make it easier. One way or another she answers your questions, and if urgent, she will even answer via email in the middle of the night.
During some of my toughest moments she has really been amazing, encouraging, and truthful. The results weren't something either of us had hoped for, but I really felt her desire to help me every step of the way.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Aimee Eyvazzadeh at Aimee Eyvazzadeh?
Hear her out, and most importantly voice your opinion if it doesn't feel right. Express any and all of your concerns and she will help you understand better.
Even if you feel she isn't listening to you, tell her that. She really is someone who is willing to listen and not force her treatment plans on you. You can't expect her to guess what you are thinking--just like all doctors she's seeing many patients every day 7 days a week! There is no such thing as a one size fits all protocol for her and I couldn't agree more!
She communicates by email a lot so if this isn't your style it might take getting some used to. I personally loved it because I was always able to reach her--only exception is when she's in the middle of a procedure.
Not everyone will connect with each other the same way, and it is okay to walk away if it doesn't feel right.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Aimee Eyvazzadeh at Aimee Eyvazzadeh?
I was no nervous contacting Dr. Aimee, but even through my first connection via email, she personally responded and answered all my questions. Coming into the office from another clinic I thought I knew the process. Don't get me wrong, I loved my first clinic and only moved on because my RE there no longer did IVF. In the last few years I practically lived at clinics or hospitals so thought I knew the drill.
Then I come to Dr. Aimee's office and am still shocked at how well everything is well managed. And by the time I left my first visit, the nurses, front desk, everyone I came into contact with knew me by name.
Anytime I had a question via phone, email, or in person--if that person didn't know the answer they would find someone who did. If they couldn't get it to me right away, they would check and let me know. Only a handful of times I'd have to remind them, but they immediately apologized for the delay.
On one occasion, the billing person seemed kind of bothered by a question I had, but she followed up with an email with my request, and also apologized for being so abrupt that morning because she was slammed and just had a long day in general.
They must get the same questions day in and day out, but don't make you feel like any question is too silly and genuinely want to help.
Describe the protocols Aimee Eyvazzadeh used in your cycles at Aimee Eyvazzadeh and their degree of success.
I don't remember my overall strategies as my last few years have kind of blurred together. This journey has been so rough on us, and we took a much needed break since our ectopic July 2019 because we couldn't handle it emotionally, physically, and financially.
When we came to Dr. Aimee, we had miscarried twins at 10 weeks, and gone through 2 rounds of clomid and 8 rounds of IUI's. She took the time to look over our history had us repeat some tests that needed to be updated. Then she felt she wanted to try IUI's first. we told her our concern that we didn't mind trying IUI but we were financially strapped. We didn't want to continue waste $ on IUI's. She suggested trying a few first so she can see how my body responds but if we were truly over doing IUI's she would understand. However, if it was due to finances, she really wanted us to try. She would help us out by applying our IUI costs to our IVF cycle if we had to move on to IVF.
Onto trying IUIs and to save even more money , we adjusted my cycle to use leftover medication I had from previous rounds. After 3 IUI's, each cycle showed at least 2-3 viable follicles but no pregnancy, we moved onto IVF.
My first cycle, was cancelled because after 10 days of injections my body just wasn't responding as she had hoped. It was a strange because i responded much better during my IUI cycles. Then come just one month after my cancelled cycle, I hit some health problems that might be my body rejecting and not responding to my first IVF cycle.
After discussing back and forth with Dr. Aimee we both reached a consensus that I should take a break to really let me body heal.
After almost 8 months, I was able to go back and give IVF another shot. From my email my protocol was: gonal F/menopur/cetrotide/hch.
We took this approach to try to get as many follicles as possible with increased egg quality. We saw about 15 follicles, retrieved 8 mature eggs, 4 fertilized (ICIS), 2 made it to blast, but just 1normal PGS. My husband's male factor fertility was never a concern--he produced healthy numbers EVERY IUI (we had success but miscarried with IUI), and based on 2 sperm analysis by 2 different clinics everything came out normal. Through this cycle we were hit with the realization that there were binding issues.
We were devastated. Dr. Aimee assured us she still had a lot of confidence and we would move forward after doing an ERA. This will help her get as close as possible to the correct time and placement since we only have 1 shot with 5AB blast.
Transfer day came and gone, and then the dreaded wait. We were cautiously pregnant after our first beta, then came the subsequent betas that showed it doubling, then it didn't... then exactly as she suspected based off of that one beta test--it was an ectopic. We were devastated! Another loss and such a huge hit financially, physically and emotionally.
This is the first time I've recalled this memory since our loss June 1, 2019. It was so painful but Dr. Aimee stayed with us until we needed a break. She truly has been amazing through all of this and didn't just leave us when we decided we couldn't afford to go on emotionally and financially.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Aimee Eyvazzadeh. (Assigned nurse: Raechelle)
Raechelle and the entire team were just as great as Dr. Aimee. Very attentive and helpful. They were some of the sweetest people I have met. They take time to listen to you, make the effort to help you as much as possible. Ask them a question and they try to find the answer--even if you've asked the exact same question after every visit.
If they sense you might need a moment to compose yourself, they gave you space. Most importantly, they made efforts in remembering little details in your casual talks while trying to make you feel as comfortable as possible (sometimes while half naked!)
Once I had an issue with my meds (pharmacy issue not Dr. Aimee's office) because the pharmacy misread the order, Dr. Aimee's team really went above and beyond. It was over thanksgiving break and they were also on "holiday". However, I send one email to Dr. Aimee, Raechelle and another nurse, Megan, and they immediately jumped on it to ensure I got my medication for the week. This was 6pm in the even before the Thanksgiving holiday break and Pharmacy was closing at 7pm.
I cannot stress how important it was to have their tenacity and desire to help their patients.
Describe your experience with Aimee Eyvazzadeh.
From the beginning of my visits to the end, there was always a hello and a goodbye. If things were delayed, they will immediately let you know.
Things didn't feel rushed or unorganized--appointments were 90% on time and other 10% no more than 5 minutes late. There have been maybe 3 or 4 mixups of billing but each time, they made great efforts to fix it. I cannot tell you how appreciated that is when you already have so much on your plate.
I truly did not have many hard lingering issues and when I did, it was immediately addressed. When we came across a billing discrepancy. I would show them my proof or email communication and I was never bothered by the same issue again. Lily who was one of the billing coordinators would also follow up with an email and phone call and apologize for the mistake.
Great clinic, but one thing they can change is not to leave too much of the Lindt candies out at the front desk--very easy to grab a handful and stress eat!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Aimee Eyvazzadeh at Aimee Eyvazzadeh.
For one cycle of IVF (with ICIS and PGS testing) $23,120--this did not include embryo storage fees or medications.
Their fee schedule is very detailed and straight forward. There were no hidden costs. If another procedure was suggested, all fees associated with that said procedure would be discussed and agreed on before hand.
Describe Aimee Eyvazzadeh's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Aimee Eyvazzadeh.
N/A
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Clinic
Aimee Eyvazzadeh
San Ramon