Dr. Kashani monitored me every other day, and adjusted medications accordingly. I started off with 375 IU Follistim, and 1 vial of Menopur. After a few days we added Ganrelix, and then later we upped the Menopur to 2 vials. On the last few days we increased Follistim to 425IU...Dr. Kashani was very personal in her approach with me, she called me to deliver news personally both good and bad. She's very empathetic and I could feel she genuinely cared about me and my results...
The staff [at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG] are all caring and friendly, and are super responsive at all times. I had a bit of a crisis and they even came in on a Sunday to help me...The clinic was very clean, organized, and felt like a warm and inviting environment...She [IVF care coordinator] was on top of all the paperwork I needed, would answer my questions with patience despite how repetitive, remained calm when I got too hormonal and frustrated at times...
How was your experience with Banafsheh Kashani at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG?
Most doctors don't want to even look at previous doctors' test results and diagnosis, but she was willing to review what I'd done in the past. I had pretty poor follicle count and AMH levels from a previous consultation, but Dr. Kashani told me she had reason to hope things could turn around for me. We re-tested, made some lifestyle changes, and got a cyst checked out by a specialist before we decided to proceed. I never felt like just a number, just a patient, or just someone they were trying to upsell.
Dr. Kashani was very personal in her approach with me, she called me to deliver news personally both good and bad. She's very empathetic and I could feel she genuinely cared about me and my results. Not everything went smoothly for me, and I was naturally (and hormonal!) upset and anxious, and she remained calm through it all and I knew I could trust her to make the right decisions for me. From the smallest questions at night when I was confused on how to mix my medication, to a huge mistake I made on the night of my trigger shot, Dr. Kashani was available, picked up the phone, and talked me down from crisis.
This type of procedure is emotional, draining and stressful and I can't imagine being in anyone else's hands. I truly believe her positivity and compassion helped me get results no one ever expected for me, and kept me from having a total breakdown.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Banafsheh Kashani at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG?
Trust her. Be open and honest and ask all your questions, tell the truth and nothing is too embarrassing or stupid. The more she knows the more she can help you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Banafsheh Kashani at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG?
Dr. Kashani and her staff not only treated me like a human, they treated me like family. I'd called over 10 different clinics based on referrals from friends and acquaintances, but ended up finding Dr. Kashani through great reviews on FertilityIQ and something told me to give her a chance. From my first phone consult, I never felt like I was being sold on anything, she wasn't exploiting my fear and making me feel like I'd need multiple rounds, and she had a warm manner that put me at ease right away.
Describe the protocols Banafsheh Kashani used in your cycles at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG and their degree of success.
I did Follistim, Menopur, and Ganrelix for my treatment, followed by the trigger shot. Dr. Kashani monitored me every other day, and adjusted medications accordingly. I started off with 375 IU Follistim, and 1 vial of Menopur. After a few days we added Ganrelix, and then later we upped the Menopur to 2 vials. On the last few days we increased Follistim to 425IU.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG. (Assigned nurse: Vivian (care coordinator), & a nurse but I can't recall her name!)
The staff was incredible, so helpful and caring. I can't recall the nurses name for the life of me, but she was very warm and caring, super gentle with all the bloodwork (I am usually hysterical during blood draws) and very empathetic when I had a bit of a crisis in my treatment.
Vivian, the IVF care coordinator is a gem. She was so proactive with communication, both email and phone in the 2 months prior to my procedure. She was on top of all the paperwork I needed, would answer my questions with patience despite how repetitive, remained calm when I got too hormonal and frustrated at times. She also knew I was very concerned about costs, and when I told her I was researching discounts through different pharma companies and European pharmacies, she helped me fill out all the extra paperwork I needed and gave me the idea to ask one pharmacy to match another pharmacy's aid program. I couldn't have done it without her, and I save several thousand dollars.
Describe your experience with Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG.
The clinic was very clean, organized, and felt like a warm and inviting environment. Sounds stupid, but even their decor was nice and the room they teach you injections in is so inviting and cozy. The staff are all caring and friendly, and are super responsive at all times. I had a bit of a crisis and they even came in on a Sunday to help me.
The only small area of weakness is I think it would be great for patients to get hands on practice with the medications, mixing and injecting. I'm not sure if this is feasible, but the medications are high stakes and expensive, and its a lot of stress and pressure to do it on your own with the real thing. I think more practice to get a real feel for it would be helpful.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Banafsheh Kashani at Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG.
$6000 fee for Dr. Kashani, I guess they were running a special of some sort?
Initial phone consultation - free
First Ultrasound - $190 (was out of network for my coverage)
First Blood test- she told me to have my own doctor order it so it was covered
Medication ~$2800 (I applied for an income based discount with the pharma, otherwise would have been double)
$1600 - I had to pay for an additional procedure day and anesthesiologist because something went wrong with my first trigger shot. This was the discussed plan of action and I agreed to the extra cost to salvage my process, which was worth it in the end. Hopefully no one else ever has to pay that cost because they won't be in a situation like I was.
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Clinic
Banafsheh N. Kashani, MD, FACOG
Laguna Hills