Bay IVF
Palo Alto
1681 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-322-0500
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4 assessments
7
7
Age
29
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
1 IVF, 1 Embryo Freezing
Diagnosis
PCOS
7
7
The best part about Dr. Polansky is that he's done this a million times. He is extremely careful and conscientious...That being said, if you need hand-holding, compassion, or tailored guidance, this is not the doctor for you. When things didn't seem to progress well in my cycle and I asked if we should cancel that round, he had a very generic (and frankly cold) response about success rates and helped me evaluate my situation from a numbers basis. That was a fine approach for me; I like the data. But I can see how it would be challenging for others, and the lack of tailored advice was troubling. It also seemed that he wasn't as well prepared for variables in treatment. My body didn't respond as he expected, but my medications changed very little as a result. I've since learned that his medical approach was quite conservative, particularly given my age at the time (mid/late 20s).
There's a bit of nurse roulette here [at Bay IVF]. Some are warm and kind and more willing to offer personalized advice; others respond to any question at all with, "It depends." The front desk staff is lovely and incredibly on-the-ball...Total cost was about $24,000. If I remember correctly, I believe we chose a plan that allowed for up to three transfers for one locked-in clinic price (perhaps $17K?). The rest was meds and bloodwork cost. The only frustrating cost item was that initial bloodwork and ultrasound work after a confirmed pregnancy from a fresh transfer was included in that original number, but because we ended up doing a frozen transfer, none of the post-pregnancy ultrasounds or bloodwork were included, even though they were the exact same procedures.
Age
29
Treated
2018
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
European
Income
$500K
Occupation
Lawyer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 3 Docs
Treatment
1 IVF, 1 Embryo Freezing
Diagnosis
PCOS
7
7
How was your experience with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
The best part about Dr. Polansky is that he's done this a million times. He is extremely careful and conscientious. I would recommend him because his output and success ratio (live birth!) is amazing. That being said, if you need hand-holding, compassion, or tailored guidance, this is not the doctor for you. When things didn't seem to progress well in my cycle and I asked if we should cancel that round, he had a very generic (and frankly cold) response about success rates and helped me evaluate my situation from a numbers basis. That was a fine approach for me; I like the data. But I can see how it would be challenging for others, and the lack of tailored advice was troubling. It also seemed that he wasn't as well prepared for variables in treatment. My body didn't respond as he expected, but my medications changed very little as a result. I've since learned that his medical approach was quite conservative, particularly given my age at the time (mid/late 20s).
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Don't expect hugs, but do expect top-notch risk analysis and expectation-setting. You may never have answers about your particular fertility concerns, but you will also never leave with questions about Dr. Polansky's next steps.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
It seemed to be a challenge for Dr. Polansky to provide me with personalized guidance and advice during my egg maturation and retrieval. He relied on numbers to diagnose me with PCOS (which it turned out I did not have, at all), and when the cycle was progressing poorly with limited ovarian response, he couldn't provide any hypothesis as to why. We received very generic, canned responses about 3 potential reasons why this could be the case but nothing substantive. That was tough for me, as I am a highly involved patient who wanted to have more details about my cycle. It felt both from his treatment and most of his staff that I was just another patient in line.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Bay IVF.
There's a bit of nurse roulette here. Some are warm and kind and more willing to offer personalized advice; others respond to any question at all with, "It depends." The front desk staff is lovely and incredibly on-the-ball.
Describe your experience with Bay IVF.
The clinic overall has excellent organization and clear communications. It's clear that the lab is one of the best available. Approach was overall conservative but extremely data-driven. Feedback was blunt and not necessarily personalized, but their methods are definitely effective!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Francis Polansky at Bay IVF.
Total cost was about $24,000. If I remember correctly, I believe we chose a plan that allowed for up to three transfers for one locked-in clinic price (perhaps $17K?). The rest was meds and bloodwork cost. The only frustrating cost item was that initial bloodwork and ultrasound work after a confirmed pregnancy from a fresh transfer was included in that original number, but because we ended up doing a frozen transfer, none of the post-pregnancy ultrasounds or bloodwork were included, even though they were the exact same procedures.
Describe Francis Polansky's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Bay IVF.
Excellent communication regarding percentage chance of implantation based on multiple embryo transfer.
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Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
10
10
Age
38
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
2 IVF
Diagnosis
—
10
10
Immediately from the first consultation, it was clear that Dr. Polansky is a straight shooter -- which we really appreciated. He was very direct and clear about our probability for a successful birth. There was no overpromising or misleading regarding our odds at any point. He performed each procedure with utmost efficiency and carefulness. There were no complications at any point, and we were blessed with the best possible outcome...We appreciated that Dr. Polansky leveled with us the entire way. He is experienced and very knowledgeable, without ever overpromising at any point. If that is a fit with your expectations and personality, this clinic may be a good match for you. If you need something else emotionally, then maybe not.
They [nurses at Bay IVF] were warm, respectful, and very responsive via email and phone whenever we had questions. We felt a bond stronger than we have with other service providers. The day we heard the heartbeat, the nurses were genuinely happy for us, even getting tearful as they congratulated us...Strengths: seasoned and close knit staff, and their ability to work for decades alongside one another speaks to the quality of their relationships with each other and their patients; facilities are clean and comfortable; skilled at managing the emotional demands for such a stressful process
Age
38
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
East Asian
Income
$200K - $499K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
2 IVF
Diagnosis
—
10
10
How was your experience with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Immediately from the first consultation, it was clear that Dr. Polansky is a straight shooter -- which we really appreciated. He was very direct and clear about our probability for a successful birth. There was no overpromising or misleading regarding our odds at any point. He performed each procedure with utmost efficiency and carefulness. There were no complications at any point, and we were blessed with the best possible outcome.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
IVF is as demanding as any type of experience -- in mind, body, and soul. It is neither a miraculous nor magic bullet, and the chances of success are not 100%. We appreciated that Dr. Polansky leveled with us the entire way. He is experienced and very knowledgeable, without ever overpromising at any point. If that is a fit with your expectations and personality, this clinic may be a good match for you. If you need something else emotionally, then maybe not.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Dr. Polansky and his team treated us with great care and respect throughout the process. They demonstrated a keen awareness of the emotional, physical, and financial demands of trying to have a baby.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Bay IVF.
They were warm, respectful, and very responsive via email and phone whenever we had questions. We felt a bond stronger than we have with other service providers. The day we heard the heartbeat, the nurses were genuinely happy for us, even getting tearful as they congratulated us.
Describe your experience with Bay IVF.
Strengths: seasoned and close knit staff, and their ability to work for decades alongside one another speaks to the quality of their relationships with each other and their patients; facilities are clean and comfortable; skilled at managing the emotional demands for such a stressful process
Describe Francis Polansky's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Bay IVF.
We had 1 fresh embryo after the second retrieval, so we just transplanted that; 4 were frozen.
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Ask this reviewer a question about their experience with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF.
Verified
This patient has provided documentation of treatment at this clinic.
9
10
Age
38
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
1 IVF
Diagnosis
Endometriosis, Male Factor, Uterine Fibroids
9
10
Dr. Polansky reviewed our medical record before our first visit. He explained the whole process and answered all the questions we had. Also, he gave a expectation based on our situation, - a personalized communication...Dr Polansky is very professional, and is very kind to answer all our questions. He is also very experienced...
The nurse and the nurse team [at Bay IVF Center] is amazing! The best service I have ever seen! Very nice, very polite, very professional...The clinic is clean. The atmosphere there is very good. Weakness: The instrument don't looks fancy, but this doesn't matter... The communication is always very efficient.
Age
38
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
—
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Engineer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
1 IVF
Diagnosis
Endometriosis, Male Factor, Uterine Fibroids
9
10
How was your experience with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Dr Polansky is very professional, and is very kind to answer all our questions. He is also very experienced. I love the the booklet he gave me for the guideline of meals. The communication is always very efficient.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Please ask if you have any quesstions. Dr. Polansky will answer all your questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Dr. Polansky reviewed our medical record before our first visit. He explained the whole process and answered all the questions we had. Also, he gave a expectation based on our situation, - a personalized communication.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Bay IVF.
The nurse and the nurse team is amazing! The best service I have ever seen! Very nice, very polite, very professional.
Describe your experience with Bay IVF.
Strength: a clinic with a long history. Dr. Polansky is an experienced expert on the field. Everyone here works very professional, very polite. The clinic is clean. The atmosphere there is very good.
Weakness: The instrument don't looks fancy, but this doesn't matter.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Francis Polansky at Bay IVF.
IVF with transfer: $14,000
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10
10
Age
—
Treated
2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
IVF, 1 Egg Freezing
Diagnosis
Male Factor, PCOS
10
10
He [Dr. Polansky] is very matter of fact and I've heard he will urge women to consider donor eggs of their own are low quality. I personally believe this to be a positive thing...
Every person working for Dr Polansky [at Bay IVF] knew my name, where I was in my cycle, and were incredibly supportive during the whole process.
Age
—
Treated
2014
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
Ashkenazi Jewish
Income
$50K - $99K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
IVF, 1 Egg Freezing
Diagnosis
Male Factor, PCOS
10
10
How was your experience with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
His bedside manner was frank and compassionate without being condescending or over-promising. His confidence never seemed like arrogance and his overall lifestyle/diet/supplement suggestions were in line with my own.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Don't expect too much hand holding. He is very matter of fact and I've heard he will urge women to consider donor eggs of their own are low quality. I personally believe this to be a positive thing since he understands the high costs associated with ART and the desire for the patient to have a positive outcome.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Francis Polansky at Bay IVF?
Every person working for Dr Polansky knew my name, where I was in my cycle, and were incredibly supportive during the whole process.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Bay IVF.
They knew me by name and without being too intrusive, and we're just as relieved and overjoyed by my outcome. They called me a year later to ask how my daughter was doing.
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