Daniel Rychlik

Dr. Rychlik has what seems like the experience and accreditation as an endocrinologist, but he seems to not think outside the box and wants every patient to fit his protocol. I don't feel he looks at each patient as an individual person. He was always very polite and kind but he doesn't do well responding to failure or patient concerns. There was no talk about what to do next after 4 failed transfers, it was almost as though he didn't want me as a patient anymore. Maybe it's because I would bring his success rates down? Not sure. He took no responsibility for my failures, so while even though he didn't know what was wrong with me there must be a problem and it couldn't be his protocol. The most frustrating thing was that early on in our first consult I told him is it possible that it is my uterus? He said no way that is just not likely and talked about a study of women who received uterine transplants from post menopause women and they conceived fine. In the end when we had our final failure he basically told me that he thought it was my uterus. He gave me this answer without any testing or diagnostics. Overall Rychlik is a decent man but I can't say we developed rapport so I decided to go elsewhere for a yet another opinion.

Push him to give you answers as to exactly what protocol he uses for stimulation and why. Also ask him exactly what he thinks is your infertility diagnosis and if the first transfer fails what next? See if he can provide real data to his success rates and where that proof is on the CDC website.

Stimulation was with Gonal F and lupron. Transfers were with progesterone and estrogen in form of IM, oral and suppositories. I had a DNC prior to my first transfer as a clean out. Also had an ERA when the 3rd transfer failed.

Had my monitoring don't by a local center.

For the first round all in, including the guest transfer was about 25,000. Each transfer after was about 5,000. ERA was about 1,500.

Doctor prefers single transfers.

Dr. Dan’s strengths are being able to use analogies to explain some medical things. Personally, I did not appreciate that. It felt as though he spoke in circles. I only spoke with him 3 total times and I never trusted he had a complete understanding of me and my case. He wasn’t willing to change his standard protocol and just wanted to repeat cycles, each cycle costing more money. He seemed like an intelligent doctor who was interested in my case at my consult, but failed to prove that through my care.

Ask a lot of questions and speak up if you don’t feel something is correct.

I was on the low stim protocol for both of my cycles. I did 14 days of Menopur, Gonal-F, and added in the Fyremadel toward the end. I used a Lupron trigger for my first ER that I didn’t respond to, but he still went through with the retrieval resulting in 1 immature egg. The second round was the same protocol but did an Ovidrel trigger. We did retrieve 15 eggs but my 1 blast was abnormal and not suitable for transfer.

They would get too busy and started having to do monitoring in the afternoons, which was inconvenient and didn’t match what they had in their protocol.

My low stim IVF package was $7500 plus $4700 for medication. I would have paid more to have personalized care.

Dr. Dan required PGT testing in his packages and would only transfer 1 embryo. But we never made it past PGT testing with Dr. Dan.

Aside from the M.D. on his business card, it wasn't very clear to me how good / not good he is at his job. I barely saw him, which is fine if I didn't need to see him, but I felt like if I had questions about next steps they had to go through the clinic which can always mean things get lost in translation.

Be ready to do your own research.

I'm honestly not sure if he properly read my charts and tests. At first he thought my tests would be "lower" but when he got the results and read them to me on the phone he said everything was "good", but I didn't really know what that meant. There wasn't really a strategy, at least not one that was explained to me or my wife.

approximately $1,200 per IUI cycle

N/A

Dr. Rychlik made me feel like I was not intelligent, and that I was going to be emotional. After telling me on the first visit that I would need IVF, he said to me "you probably stopped listening already" and then he indicated the he would start directing the conversation to my husband. I was not crying and was paying complete attention. My husband is actually the type to have his mind start spinning, and stop paying attention. Dr. Rychlik was googling images to show me, he had nothing prepared as a presentation. He said multiple time, "that's not the picture I want. There's a graph I really like." He was not prepared. Dr. Rychlik gave me a treatment plan, IVF, after just one visit, without an HSG test, and without a semen analysis. After now seeing a different doctor and talking with a family friend who is an OBGYN, I know this is a crazy plan after just one visit.

Please do not see him.

We did not get to begin a cycle, because I was unsatisfied with his diagnosis after only an ultrasound. I did not trust him and I believe he just wanted my money.

I provided my insurance information before the appointment because they told me that they needed do talk to my insurance before the appointment. Then when I went then still didn't know if my insurance would cover the ultrasound. The Dr. called the nurse in to get me to approve the cost of the ultrasound in case my insurance wouldn't cover it. I did not end up paying because my insurance did cover it. I only went to that one appointment, so I had no other costs.

N/A

He was always very nice. Funny. Explained things when I needed. Kept me up to date on what was going on. I don't like to stress so a doctor with a sense of humor can definitely lighten the mood. I am also not the type of patient to ask a ton of questions as I put my trust in the doctor and know that this is their specialty and not mine. This is my second fertility clinic and I'm under the impression that none of them hold your hand through anything really because they have way too many patients. With that said If I needed something or had a question I would just email my nurse.

Be ready to laugh.

I dont know that their was necessarily a strategy. I am under the impression that this protocol is for everyone and not just me. So Iwouldnt say I feel special or anything. 225 of Menopur, 225 of gonal f. Take prenatal, COQ10 and DHEA.

So far Ive spent almost 18k but medications are very expensive

We havent discussed

Dr. Rychlik was very open and honest throughout our first cycle / transfer and ultimate miscarriage. As this was our first time with IVF, he did explain a lot of what was happening. There were periods were maybe things were painted a little too positive and expectations were set too high. Which in the moment I appreciated. We are now on our second cycle with Dr. Rychlik and more realistic about what could happen. He's onboard with our needs and requests to get it all straight. So I feel like we have a true partner here.

He makes times for all patients - even being the one to take my blood tests occasionally. So be sure to ask ANY and ALL questions you want. He will answer.

We went with a very straightforward protocol - IVF/ICIS with genetic testing. As it was more male factor, we didn't go too aggressive for the retrieval and I responded really well to all the drugs - never feeling too poor. We ended up with 2 genetically tested embryos and transferred 1 Day 5. It resulted in a positive! Unfortunately, the baby stopped growing between 5 and 6 weeks. Even though it was genetically tested, apparently this can happen (I do wish I was more prepared). However, after some months off now, we are going back for our next FET.

Monitoring appointments were a breeze. I felt like I was the only patient, I never had a wait. I saw the same nurse and Ultrasound tech every time & sometimes even Dr. R himself! I actually really enjoyed these appointments. It was always happy and even if I was stressed or nervous, we still laughed and they helped calm me down. I booked them right before work and never had a delay. I'm happy to be back for this next transfer!

IVF with ICSI and Genetic Testing, including Dr Fees & Facility Fees was around 15k. Medication another 5k. FET was around 3k.

Both Doctor and Nurses seemed to think single was the way to go - so if something did happen we could review and adjust the plan of action for the next one. Subjectively, friends who have done IVF my age and with similar circumstances also advocated for single transfer.

Dr Rychlik always remained positive and optimistic about the outcome. I wish maybe I would've known going into it that one IVF cycle wouldn't work or that maybe donor eggs should've been discussed. Obviously there's no way of knowing until you go through it but I wasn't fully prepared for the disappointment of having no viable embryos.

Ask all of the questions whether they're good or bad. Find out if the money you are spending is being put to good use and if maybe there are better options for you besides IVF.

Are used injectables every night for two weeks. Every other day I went in for ultrasound and blood work. I took Menopur, Gonal-F followed by Ganirrelix and Ovidrel.

My appointments were very easy and I was never waiting on people or in a Cattlecall situation. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes every time.

19k not including meds but including PGD and another 5-6k for FET not including meds.

I don't speak english very well. He all time tried to found a interprete for translate. He wont I undertand everything.he is very nice and he tried to help us all time. He felt worried about our diagnostic and tried to foun the bes option for us.

The best

All the time he Spoke clear about our diagnostic.we start with birth control pills and after We use menopur and digonal for almost 2 weeks and 2 days before the retrivial we use cetritide. We got 12 eggs 2 fertilized naturaly and 2 via ICSI. For the 5 day we got only 2 embryos. We sent to test it but both was a poor quality. My doctor said we can try again bue we are broken. No more money then he said we can try a embryo donnor

20,000

I didn't think my wife and I had a fertility issue until frolicking and fun, spontaneous or planned well in advanced didn’t result in any close calls. Ultimately, we had a long discussion about wanting children and wondering why, after nearly 10yrs of marriage (and frolicking) that it hadn’t happen. We both went to our respective primary care doctors and were each told “there is no health reason you can’t have children”. This is where my wife and I were very fortunate to find Dr. Rychlik. He sent us to get additional lab test (for both me and my wife), followed by an honest assessment of getting pregnant naturally. We are an older couple, I’m older than my wife and she is now in her early 40’s. It turns out that being healthy, in every way, including her uterus and the motility of my sperm…doesn’t guarantee pregnancy…and those odds drop every day we get older. After more conversation with Dr Rychlik we decided to put our trust in him and go the IVF route. The IVF process doesn’t ask much of me…my wife has been the epicenter of it; all the shots, the mood swings, the pain…it’s not easy. However, I couldn’t imagine going through IVF with any other doctor than Dr. Rychlik and his entire team. He is clear and precise about what he expect from you as a patient; you have to follow the protocols exactly. Also, his team is also clean, and empathetic; they certainly imparted a high level of positive energy, empathy and kindness in particular during egg retrieval and the days following successful implant. We are in our 3rd trimester and have had a relatively worry free 1st and 2nd trimester because all the advice Dr Rychlik gave us; in particular genetic testing of the embryos for viability. Based on how many eggs were retrieved versus how many were viable; it’s clear to me why we didn’t have any accidents; if left to ours own devices we wouldn’t be expecting. Dr Rychlik (and his team) made all the difference. I think IVF could be among the most significant endeavors my wife and I have ever undertaken (separately or as a couple), made easier by Dr. Rychlik’s leadership, precision and sound practical advice. I can’t say enough good things, I can literally go on and on.

I think he has a specific way of doing things, ultimately he is as goal oriented as the patient (the goal being to get pregnant). If you follow his very specific instructions, I think it affords patients the best chance.

I don’t remember the specific being the husband, I can only watch as my wife meticulously executed the instructions. From vaginal suppositories to a number of injections (for retrieval, post retrieval and implantation, etc)…the rational was simple, all of these treatments provided a better opportunity to retrieve viable eggs and a good implantation.

10k without the required meds

We only had two viable eggs; we were given the impression that implanting one was the safest way to go. And we took that advice.

Dr. Rychlik has a very deep understanding of the process. He is in fact very updated on the latest developments in the field. He explained how the embryology lab is the an important, if not the most important part of the fertility treatment and how his lab was the most state of the art lab in the city. He was super compassionate, he is extremely funny and that made me very comfortable throughout my journey. He is a super start and Santa Barbara is lucky to have a physician of this quality.

There are a lot of services that are part of the plan when you chose to do IVF with Dr. Rychlik. Psychologists, nutritionists and acupuncture specialist. They make you feel in control and relaxed during the process. Its a fantastic experience.

I had a pretty straightforward experience. I was explained the issue, the protocol and I am pleased with the results!

IVF cycle was $7,500 and it was included pgt-a testing. The Embryo transfer was $4000 which included all transfers made from one cycle. We loved this idea of transparency and knowing what is the ceiling!

Dr. Rychlik strongly only does single embryo transfer if the embryo has been biopsied and tested for abnormalities. It was explained to us and we were in alignment with his decision.