I feel that he [Dr. Lin] is a combination of experience and pragmatism balanced with an affable, relaxed demeanor. Once you are in your cycle, you have access to Dr. Lin via cell phone for any issues that arise...I felt that both Dr. Lin was open to my specific questions and gave mindful answers...Dr. Lin travels between OC, LA, and the IE to service his patients, and the nursing and clinical coordinator staff travel with him...I never had to see a backup doctor during my care...
When I called the main line [at Reproductive Fertility Center], I always got ahold of someone during business hours (Saturdays as well). If the person answering did not have the information, someone got back to me within a timely fashion. I found all the nurses capable and professional...it has a satellite office in Alhambra (despite being Irvine and Corona based) available for monitoring...Dr. Lin travels between OC, LA, and the IE to service his patients, and the nursing and clinical coordinator staff travel with him....
How was your experience with James P. Lin at Reproductive Fertility Center?
Dr. Lin has been in the ART / IVF industry for a long while, and has a thriving practice. I feel that he is a combination of experience and pragmatism balanced with an affable, relaxed demeanor. Once you are in your cycle, you have access to Dr. Lin via cell phone for any issues that arise. I had a medication spill one evening, and was able to text Dr. Lin and he replied calmly, reassuringly how to handle. The office line also has an after hours service, and you have your coordinator's email as well. But knowing that in case of emergency, Dr. Lin was reachable was a nice comfort / safety.
I am a patient who does a lot of reading, research, and stays in the know about elements of various protocols and trends. I felt that both Dr. Lin was open to my specific questions and gave mindful answers.
One thing I appreciated, and which actually helped me choose this clinic, is that it has a satellite office in Alhambra (despite being Irvine and Corona based) available for monitoring. I was really only reviewing clinics in Los Angeles, and since Alhambra is accessible from LA, it made the difference of ruling out this practice for being OC-based (on distance alone). Dr. Lin travels between OC, LA, and the IE to service his patients, and the nursing and clinical coordinator staff travel with him. I think you have to love what you do, to want to drive into three different offices each week.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of James P. Lin at Reproductive Fertility Center?
Do your homework, then go with your gut. Good luck!
If you have questions about insurance or payment plans, their billing and coordinator staff are very reachable via email.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with James P. Lin at Reproductive Fertility Center?
I interviewed 3 RE's from my shortlist (whittled down via extensive research), and Dr. Lin was in my final two contenders. He is the head of 3 locations and a large staff, but always had a calm, affable demeanor. He felt a like a caring uncle who is relaxed and attentive in his work.
Describe the protocols James P. Lin used in your cycles at Reproductive Fertility Center and their degree of success.
Dr. Lin did my third retrieval, after two I had done with another clinic:
Antagonist, Natural Start (no priming). Began stims on Cycle Day 3. Gonal 225, Menopur 225. Cetrotide added halfway through stims. Ovidrel Trigger.
The clinic offers acupuncture services and provides a list of suggested supplements. I had already been doing acupuncture from a sliding scale practitioner (sporadically, 6-months prior), as I believe in acupuncture in general and had begun supplements from "It Starts with the Egg" many months before beginning egg/embryo freezing.
Results are similar to previous two cycles (different clinic) on Microdose Leuprolide Protocol aka Flare Protocol. Gonal 300, Menopur 150. Pregnyl 10000 Trigger. I asked both Dr. Lin and my previous doctor about Omnitrope, and neither seemed to feel it makes a difference.
I like that both Dr. Lin and my previous doctor do not go over the combined dosage of 450 units stims, as other clinics go above this # and that is the highest dose that is statistically significant to make an impact. This is the first round that I created embryos, so I am awaiting more results.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Fertility Center.
The clinic has a professional staff of all women. When I called the main line, I always got ahold of someone during business hours (Saturdays as well). If the person answering did not have the information, someone got back to me within a timely fashion. I found all the nurses capable and professional.
Michelle who runs the front desk at Alhambra on monitoring days was 100% on top of things, with a friendly, caring demeanor, as well as a crisp professionalism. Based on her demeanor alone, I was inclined to shortlist this clinic for my care. I like that they have different locations for monitoring, as I would not have considered this clinic without their Alhambra monitoring branch.
When I called my shortlist, I was able to get scheduled with Dr. Lin for a consultation ahead of schedule compared to a lot of other offices. Dr. Lin works a lot of hours (three locations) and enjoys his work. I never had to see a backup doctor during my care. I like that women generally run the day-to-day here, since fertility is a very female-centric experience.
Dr. Lin provides his cell for patients that are actively cycling, and I was able to get a response immediately when I had a medication spill. Do be prepared to drive to the Irvine or Corona office if you are an Alhambra patient, as that location is only a satellite office for monitoring (bloodwork, ultrasounds) and consultations. Procedures are conducted at Irvine or Corona (I never had to go to Corona).
Dr. Lin is very experienced and has been in the IVF game. My previous doctor was young and perhaps more up on the minute-to-minute trends and evolution of ART, which was a positive. However, the monitoring, being treated like human being (not a number), cleanliness and organization of the clinic was also strong here. My questions were answered respectfully and kindly.
Describe the costs associated with your care under James P. Lin at Reproductive Fertility Center.
Initially I consulted with RFC under OOP pricing. The fees were comparable with two other Los Angeles Clinics I had consults with for OOP.
When I ended up undergoing treatment here, I was covered under insurance, so the pricing was based on my health plan.
Describe James P. Lin's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Fertility Center.
I believe Dr. Lin chooses single embryo, but we did not discuss in detail, since I am at the freezing stage. Personally, I would only feel comfortable with single embryo transfer due to the risks.
9
Clinic
Reproductive Fertility Center
Irvine