Dr. Chuan was very personable and always in a good mood which is great, but I felt like she always had some where better to be. I felt like any questions I asked were annoying to her. She had a way of just talking to my husband instead of me, like I’m not capable of understanding what she is saying but my husband is. That bothered me because I’m the one who’s body is going through this, I’m the one who should be acknowledged...she kept saying but you’re so young, if I’d known you would be a poor responder I would have kept you on the meds longer. Only 3 made it into embryos. She suggested that we only transfer 2 at most the first time so we did. The nurse at my exam found polyps in my uterus so I had to have surgery to remove those before the transfer could be done to give me the best chance of the embryos sticking. She performed my transfer and that was a nice experience, she was very friendly and warm for those. That transfer failed and I had to wait until I could come up with $4,000 more to transfer my la
I felt like the clinic [San Diego Fertility Center] was a well oiled machine. Not too many smiles from the nurses, seems like they just wanted to get me in and out. I don’t think they really wanted to know me as a person...If you are a same sex couple or need a surrogate, this is a great clinic for you because I later learned that is the demographic they deal with and specialize in with most. I’m not in either of those situations so I don’t feel like it benefited me at all...
How was your experience with Sandy Chuan at San Diego Fertility Center?
Dr. Chuan was very personable and always in a good mood which is great, but I felt like she always had some where better to be. I felt like any questions I asked were annoying to her. She had a way of just talking to my husband instead of me, like I’m not capable of understanding what she is saying but my husband is. That bothered me because I’m the one who’s body is going through this, I’m the one who should be acknowledged.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sandy Chuan at San Diego Fertility Center?
If you are a same sex couple or need a surrogate, this is a great clinic for you because I later learned that is the demographic they deal with and specialize in with most. I’m not in either of those situations so I don’t feel like it benefited me at all.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sandy Chuan at San Diego Fertility Center?
I felt like the clinic was a well oiled machine. Not too many smiles from the nurses, seems like they just wanted to get me in and out. I don’t think they really wanted to know me as a person.
Describe the protocols Sandy Chuan used in your cycles at San Diego Fertility Center and their degree of success.
From the beginning she told me that I shouldn’t have any trouble conceiving since I was “so young”; I was 29 going to be 30 at the time. Then my results can’t back that I have diminished ovarian reserve, which was a shock, but still she said you have age on your side you’ll be fine. I was put on clomid, gonal F and menopur injections to stimulate my ovaries. Then with the egg retrieval, which she didn’t perform another doctor did who I never met, only 5 eggs were retrieved. She was shocked when she learned that, she kept saying but you’re so young, if I’d known you would be a poor responder I would have kept you on the meds longer. Only 3 made it into embryos. She suggested that we only transfer 2 at most the first time so we did. The nurse at my exam found polyps in my uterus so I had to have surgery to remove those before the transfer could be done to give me the best chance of the embryos sticking. She performed my transfer and that was a nice experience, she was very friendly and warm for those. That transfer failed and I had to wait until I could come up with $4,000 more to transfer my last embryo. About 8 months later I started the whole process again to prepare for transfer. I was put on the usual clomid, progesterone, and estrogen, but this time I had to take triple the estrogen taking it orally, vaginally, and wearing patches since my follicles were not growing fast enough. Polyps were found again so I had to have those removed. Dr. Chuan transferred my last embryo and I Had my blood test on Christmas Eve and was told later that night it wa negative. I couldn’t get an appointment to go over my results until the first of February, which I thought was too long. When we talked she was very uncaring so different than how she was at the transfers. I asked if there anything I can do on my own to help my chances or if she could prescribe me clomid or anything to help my chances of conceiving naturally while I wait to come up with more money to do another cycle and she said no. I even asked if I should change my diet or what she recommends and she said that won’t help, there’s nothing to do. I was told I’m a poor responder but she doesn’t no why. So I’m left with more questions than answers.
Describe your experience with your nurse at San Diego Fertility Center. (Assigned nurse: Jennifer Hoffman )
Jenn was very thorough and was able to get me the papers and info I needed especially after when I was applying for grants. She did intimate me a little, I was scared sometimes to ask too many questions, I felt like she was annoyed.
Describe your experience with San Diego Fertility Center.
They have early hours so it made it very convenient for me to get my sonograms done and make it to work on time. The clinic is beautiful and very clean. They get stuff done really fast and get you on your way. I know they have a lot of patients and never ending cycles to treat I so I do understand how they can be rushed but it would help to still keep some warmth, compassion, and friendliness since every one coming in there is going through a very emotional process.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Sandy Chuan at San Diego Fertility Center.
$13,500 for a round of IVF. $400 for hysteroscopy. $4,000 for additional transfers. $5,000 for meds.
Describe Sandy Chuan's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at San Diego Fertility Center.
I initially wanted to transfer all 3 of my embryos in together but she advised me that was not a good choice since I could have multiple babies and that’s dangerous for me. Which I agree was the right decision and safest approach.
What specific things went wrong at San Diego Fertility Center?
- Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at San Diego Fertility Center.
Overall the clinic is run very well. It might just be me personally who didn’t feel welcomed and as comfortable as I should feel. One example that made me feel like no one acknowledged or cared about me is when I had my transfer done I wore special socks that said “put that baby in me”. The doctor thought they were cute and asked if she could take a picture. I said of course. So a little while later I check their Instagram and I’m happy to see they put my picture up; only they captioned it “we love how loving and supportive our surrogates are!” I’m not a surrogate, my doctor knows that, my husband was in the room with me. So that just shows me that I’m not even important enough to remember.
5
Clinic
San Diego Fertility Center
Temecula