My husband and I have been a patient of Dr. Khorram for 2 years...my husband liked his attitude. He said he didn't feel like a salesman and was direct...His transfer approach which he said in our first consultation was to transfer 2 embryos at a time, no more than 2 at a time...If you don't ask questions, he won't explain anything. So know the process to be able to have questions ready for him. He doesn't mean wrong and he'll definitely answer your questions but he won't elaborate on anything if you don't ask
The [University Fertility Center] clinic strengths I think honestly the pricing, approach, and cleanness...Weaknesses I think would be a bedside manner and appointment strategy...Ultrasound appointments were pretty easy to get. They said since the appointments were fast, they could schedule them at any time. I really like that there open on Saturdays. It made it easier for my husband to come along. They were also really flexiable with appointments.
How was your experience with Omid Khorram at University Fertility Center?
My husband and I have been a patient of Dr. Khorram for 2 years. I was referred to him by my OBGYN due to the fact that I only have a 1% chance on conceiving on my own. What we have to work with- one ovary and one blocked tube. I had my left side removed when I was 15 yrs old. Before diving into IVF, I did get a second opinion. The doctor I saw had gone through fertility treatment herself with Khorram. She warned me about his dry character but she said he gets the job done. She said, "he doesn't explain much, his a man of little words but he'll get you pregnant." When meeting with him I totally saw what she meant. Interestingly enough, my husband liked his attitude. He said he didn't feel like a salesman and was direct. The reason we worked with him for so long was due to some obstacles that came our way. I had a polyp on my uterus wall so I had to get that removed, then a cyst that wouldn't go away, then I got cold feet and then Khorram was going on vacation when retrieval was going to happen. Finally, we went through the first part even with the pandemic going on. I was sure he was going to cancel my cycle but they said I was exempt due to the fact that I had already started treatment. When he gave us the go on treatment, he gave us a sheet with instructions. He read it to us and that was it, no explanation on how I would probably feel, what was the medication was going to stimulate or anything. I was so nervous about starting, I honestly didn't even ask a question. We saw him every two days for ultrasounds and further instructions. Then I started to ask more questions. He honestly shares the minimal but he knows what he's doing. Finally, he said I was ready for retrieval and it was a pretty dry experience. Checked in at 6:20 am, I was done by 7 am. He shared that he was able to retrieve 12 eggs vs 9 that he saw on the ultrasound. After he shared that he left for the day. I rested probably 30min after. The nurse came in, removed my IV, explained what I would feel for the next two weeks and she went home for the day. My husband helped out of the office to the car and we were done. We didn't get any follow-up calls aside from the embryologist.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Omid Khorram at University Fertility Center?
Be Prepared! Do your research about the process, meds, egg retrieval process (he didn't explain anything about the process), aftercare, just everything. If you don't ask questions, he won't explain anything. So know the process to be able to have questions ready for him. He doesn't mean wrong and he'll definitely answer your questions but he won't elaborate on anything if you don't ask. Also, know that appointments take forever! I once had an appointment at 3:30 pm, I wasn't seen till 6:30 pm. I heard he did a mock transfer for someone that wasn't scheduled for that. I also heard that he only works Monday, Wednesday, Friday's and Saturdays in the office. So the pack in his appointments. He's a nice guy but his dry, just know that.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Omid Khorram at University Fertility Center?
Well, there wasn't much communication as I wanted which made me feel like a number. But the staff was helpful even if I had my doubts.
Describe the protocols Omid Khorram used in your cycles at University Fertility Center and their degree of success.
Since my circumstances were pretty straight forward with a blocked tube, he said the process was pretty simple. He said all we had to do was try with the meds and see how many eggs we get. I did ask him what if I don't produce enough eggs since I only have one ovary, he reassured me is that all we need is one good egg to get pregnant. That gave me hope. When I had the cyst on my ovary, his strategy was to get me off birth control to see if that will make the cyst go down. Thankfully it did go away.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at University Fertility Center.
From what I saw, they only had 3 medical assistance. I wasn't fortunate to have a nurse that was assigned to me as other clinics do. However, they were all really nice and helpful. I felt bad for them sometimes, when appointments ran late they would get the heat. It wasn't their fault, but they were always really nice.
Describe your experience with University Fertility Center.
The clinic strengths I think honestly the pricing, approach, and cleanness. I could tell that it is a fast service clinic because they help so many women and they have one goal which is to get them pregnant. Weaknesses I think would be a bedside manner and appointment strategy. My husband also said their weakness is their waiting room with uncomfortable chairs. I was fine with them but he had a hard time with the chairs and would wait in the car sometimes.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at University Fertility Center.
Ultrasound appointments were pretty easy to get. They said since the appointments were fast, they could schedule them at any time. I really like that there open on Saturdays. It made it easier for my husband to come along. They were also really flexiable with appointments.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Omid Khorram at University Fertility Center.
We paid everything out of pocket. I remember everything! Retrieval was $6700 which included ultrasounds, monitoring appointments, and med instruction. To freeze our embryos was $700 for one year. PGS testing, $4150 up to 8 embryos. Meds came from overseas which you order yourself through a website which I think was a little over $4000. The anesthesia fee was $350 cash on retrieval day. Transfer is going to be $2400.
Describe Omid Khorram's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at University Fertility Center.
His transfer approach which he said in our first consultation was to transfer 2 embryos at a time, no more than 2 at a time. We plan on transferring 2 the first round and 1 the second round. Since we are currently in a pandemic, I opted to do transfer when everything clears out. He said that was a good idea.
What specific things went wrong at University Fertility Center?
Describe the specific things that went wrong at University Fertility Center.
For our very first appointment, they failed to call me to let me know the appointment was canceled. Keep in mind that I made this appointment a month in advance and since it was in the afternoon, I asked my husband to request the day off. When we walked into the office, it was empty and they said that my appointment was cancelled and they had a note that I was called. But I never got the phone call or message. After that, I was always scared about my appointment being cancelled. They don't call you to confirm your appointment prior so I would call the day before just to make sure. I was even scared they had cancelled my retrieval without letting us know. We got there right at 6:20 am and the door was locked. we waited for 5 min and then the nurse showed up.
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Clinic
University Fertility Center
Torrance