Sasmira Lalwani
George Washington University
Available Lines of Communication
Doctor email
Nurse email
Nurse email
Direct line to nurse
Not available by personal cell phone
Medical SchoolBombay
ResidencyYale
FellowshipBeth Israel Boston
Washington DC
2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 741-2520
5 assessments
7
8
Age
38 - 39
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
5 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Male Factor
7
8
Ms Lalwani [Dr. Sasmira Lalwani] is a very understanding and compassionate person. But, since she is very busy, you have to communicate with her through a nurse, which was fine, as the nurse was very capable; but without a good nurse this system may have been a nightmare. It is also very hard to get an appointment from her as well. Ms Lalwani stayed away from more complicated treatments such as IVF with me although I am older. She was even against medicated cycle for the first two times, but I had to force her. The same was true fro use of progesterone. She prescribed progesterone only after 2 chemical pregnancies, which frankly I am not sure was due to low progesterone. But after 5 cycles with donor sperm and 4 of them medicated, I kinda wish she was more forceful.
GWU is a small clinic, which does not make you feel like you are a number in a factory. They have a system that works. The regular cycle visits are handled by stand in physician (or nurse) of the day, which I got used to. Still, I would like to see my physician more often.... 1- Natural cycle (negative) 2 - Clomid (Chemical) 3- Clomid (negative) 4- Femara 5 mg (chemical) 5- Femara 5 mg (cancelled due to poor response) 6-Femara 7.5 mg, prometrium after IUI
Age
38 - 39
Treated
2017 - 2018
Success with this Doc
?
Race
Other
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
5 IUI, Donor Sperm
Diagnosis
Male Factor
7
8
How was your experience with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Ms Lalwani is a very understanding and compassionate person. But, since she is very busy, you have to communicate with her through a nurse, which was fine, as the nurse was very capable; but without a good nurse this system may have been a nightmare. It is also very hard to get an appointment from her as well. Ms Lalwani stayed away from more complicated treatments such as IVF with me although I am older. She was even against medicated cycle for the first two times, but I had to force her. The same was true fro use of progesterone. She prescribed progesterone only after 2 chemical pregnancies, which frankly I am not sure was due to low progesterone. But after 5 cycles with donor sperm and 4 of them medicated, I kinda wish she was more forceful. But I really appreciate her bedside manners.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Make your research and be proactive.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Ms Lalwani has perfect bedside manners and she never forced me into more radical solutions just to be successful. She always tried to stay on the side of natural processes.
Describe the protocols Sasmira Lalwani used in your cycles at George Washington University and their degree of success.
1- Natural cycle (negative)
2 - Clomid (Chemical)
3- Clomid (negative)
4- Femara 5 mg (chemical)
5- Femara 5 mg (cancelled due to poor response)
6-Femara 7.5 mg, prometrium after IUI
Describe your experience with your nurse at George Washington University. (Assigned nurse: Sarah Spector)
All team members in GWU are perfect communicators and are very compassionate.
Describe your experience with George Washington University.
GWU is a small clinic, which does not make you feel like you are a number in a factory. They have a system that works. The regular cycle visits are handled by stand in physician (or nurse) of the day, which I got used to. Still, I would like to see my physician more often.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University.
$150 for first, $75 for subsequent visits. 1100 IUI cycle.
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7
8
Age
40 - 41
Treated
2016 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
4 IVF, Donor Eggs
Diagnosis
Unexplained
7
8
Sometimes Dr Lalwani had difficulty explaining concepts, though she was patient and kind and answered questions. Some embryo transfers were tough, in that it took several times to place the catheter. It never hurt, but having to go to the bathroom and feeling like your doctor couldn’t get the catheter right was upsetting.
The strength is that the doctors all meet once/week to discuss each patient so it seems it doesn’t matter which doctor is your primary at the practice. Also, they rotate procedure schedules so you might get any doctor for the retrieval or ultrasounds. Dr. Frankfurter leads the practice and I did like him a lot and he did one of my retrieval’s and transfers and he instilled a lot of confidence. You get a lot of attention in this practice, get a lot of face time with the physicians, who perform the ultrasounds
Age
40 - 41
Treated
2016 - 2017
Success with this Doc
No
Race
European
Income
—
Occupation
—
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1st of 2 Docs
Treatment
4 IVF, Donor Eggs
Diagnosis
Unexplained
7
8
How was your experience with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Sometimes Dr Lalwani had difficulty explaining concepts, though she was patient and kind and answered questions. Some embryo transfers were tough, in that it took several times to place the catheter. It never hurt, but having to go to the bathroom and feeling like your doctor couldn’t get the catheter right was upsetting.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Make sure you read a lot about your procedures and ask questions at appointments, but know she will also take phone calls and answer you on the patient portal emails.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Dr Lalwani is very kind and was willing to schedule time to talk to us. We had an appointment after a procedure to talk about what happened and what we might try next time.
Describe the protocols Sasmira Lalwani used in your cycles at George Washington University and their degree of success.
I used GonalF,225, menipur, 150, &cetrotide. I triggered with leuprolide. This seemed to work for me as I had 14 or 15 eggs retrieved each time. I used pills for estrogen and progesterone suppositories for preparing for transfers. My first 2cycles I had 1 & 2 5-day blasts, after PGS testing. I was able to do 2 FETs, because one blast didn’t survive the thaw. My other 2 transfers were fresh, because the doctors didn’t know why my FETs didn’t take, and thought with older eggs, maybe the embryos would do better in a fresh transfer.
Describe your experience with your nurse at George Washington University. (Assigned nurse: Sarah)
Sarah was a great nurse. She was very good with emailing me instructions (as I requested so I wouldn’t get confused) and called with results as well. She was very clear, could answer complex questions and scheduling questions, was thorough and kind. Her responses were very prompt. The other nurses I saw regularly were the flabotamists, Mia and I think Michelle. They were both quite good, very patient and kind. I had several different nurses for my retrieval’s, and I think they were all good.
Describe your experience with George Washington University.
The strength is that the doctors all meet once/week to discuss each patient so it seems it doesn’t matter which doctor is your primary at the practice. Also, they rotate procedure schedules so you might get any doctor for the retrieval or ultrasounds. Dr. Frankfurter leads the practice and I did like him a lot and he did one of my retrieval’s and transfers and he instilled a lot of confidence. You get a lot of attention in this practice, get a lot of face time with the physicians, who perform the ultrasounds. It’s hard to be unbiased since I did not have any success here, but I wonder how much larger clinics have an advantage of seeing so many more patients. I have heard that smaller, university places will take tougher patients, but I didn’t have any compounding issues other than age.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at George Washington University.
You would sign in, wait in line for a blood draw, return to the seated waiting are for an ultrasound. There were two changing rooms for the one ultrasound machine, one patient would get undressed while the other was in the room. It actually ran very well and only a couple of times was it very crowded. Most of the time it was very busy but quick. Typically in and out in 30 minutes or less.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University.
I believe each round with ICSI were $12000 plus PGS (plus meds, $6000) and the last two rounds were a package with ICSI of $17500, and the meds were still $6000/round)
Describe Sasmira Lalwani's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at George Washington University.
For PGS tested embryos, they only do SET. They only tell you the sex once the lab chooses the best embryo. I was fine with that, I don’t know if they may have accommodated had I asked for a specific sex, but I think no. When the PGS tested rounds didn’t work, I had multiple embryos transferred at 2 & 3 days fresh. All rounds were negative. (Not even chemical)
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8
9
Age
36
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
No
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Male Factor, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
8
9
Do your own research and be your own advocate. My impression is that the doctor [Dr. Sasmira Lalwani] cannot answer all your questions...is very polite and listens with empathy...is very friendly and easy to communicate with. At one of the consultation appointments, I brought my partner. She sensed that my partner and I were not on the same page regarding fertility treatments and gave us references for counselors. I appreciate that Dr Lalwani is a great listerner and she shows empathy for her patients. I wish Dr Lalwani could be more aggressive about treatments considering my age and condition.
Being affiliated with a university, this clinic [George Washington University] does not feel commercial which is reassuring. However, I wish the doctors were more willing to follow latest research and try new treatment options. I also feel frustrated that they cannot do much about male factor related fertility problems apart from a standard semen analysis...100 mg clomid with IUI. outcome: no pregnancy...Do your own research and be your own advocate. My impression is that the doctor cannot answer all your questions. Unfortunately, the area of infertility is full of unknowns.
Age
36
Treated
2019
Success with this Doc
No
Race
East Asian
Income
$100K - $199K
Occupation
Consultant
Order & Number of Docs Seen
2nd of 2 Docs
Treatment
1 IUI
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Male Factor, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
8
9
How was your experience with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Dr Lalwani is very friendly and easy to communicate with. At one of the consultation appointments, I brought my partner. She sensed that my partner and I were not on the same page regarding fertility treatments and gave us references for counselors. I appreciate that Dr Lalwani is a great listerner and she shows empathy for her patients. I wish Dr Lalwani could be more aggressive about treatments considering my age and condition.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Do your own research and be your own advocate. My impression is that the doctor cannot answer all your questions. Unfortunately, the area of infertility is full of unknowns.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Dr Lulwani is very polite and listens with empathy.
Describe the protocols Sasmira Lalwani used in your cycles at George Washington University and their degree of success.
100 mg clomid with IUI. outcome: no pregnancy.
Describe your experience with your nurse at George Washington University. (Assigned nurse: Alexandria Lopez)
My nurse is excellent! Unfortunately she left the clinic in December 2019. The front desk receptionist is a wonderful lady.
Describe your experience with George Washington University.
Being affiliated with a university, this clinic does not feel commercial which is reassuring. However, I wish the doctors were more willing to follow latest research and try new treatment options. I also feel frustrated that they cannot do much about male factor related fertility problems apart from a standard semen analysis.
- Read less
9
10
Age
34 - 35
Treated
2018 - 2019
Success with this Doc
?
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Male Factor, Unexplained
9
10
Dr. Lalwani was very empathetic when I experienced a loss and willing to answer questions and consider my suggestions regarding treatment options. ... I felt like my needs and preferences were factored into her decision making regarding my treatment. ... Dr. Lalwani and GWU in general have a strong preference for single embryo transfer. ... Estrogen priming protocol for IVF with pICSI. Still waiting for results.
The financial coordinator [George Washington University] was phenomenal. I felt totally confident that she could navigate insurance complexities and give me the best advice regarding my insurance coverage. Not having to stress about insurance coverage was a big weight off my shoulders. ... Jasmine [nurse] was very attentive and responsive to questions. She explained everything I needed to know and was compassionate.
Age
34 - 35
Treated
2018 - 2019
Success with this Doc
?
Race
European
Income
$200K - $499K
Occupation
Lawyer
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
—
Diagnosis
Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Male Factor, Unexplained
9
10
How was your experience with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Dr. Lalwani was very compassionate when I experienced a loss and was happy to answer my questions and consider suggestions regarding my treatment. I felt like my needs and preferences were factored into her decision making regarding my treatment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Do you own research and ask lots of questions. Be an active participant in your treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Dr. Lalwani was very empathetic when I experienced a loss and willing to answer questions and consider my suggestions regarding treatment options.
Describe the protocols Sasmira Lalwani used in your cycles at George Washington University and their degree of success.
Estrogen priming protocol for IVF with pICSI. Still waiting for results.
Describe your experience with your nurse at George Washington University. (Assigned nurse: Jasmine)
Jasmine was very attentive and responsive to questions. She explained everything I needed to know and was compassionate.
Describe your experience with George Washington University.
The financial coordinator was phenomenal. I felt totally confident that she could navigate insurance complexities and give me the best advice regarding my insurance coverage. Not having to stress about insurance coverage was a big weight off my shoulders.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University.
I have $30,000 in ART coverage. I have not yet maxed out that coverage.
Describe Sasmira Lalwani's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at George Washington University.
Dr. Lalwani and GWU in general have a strong preference for single embryo transfer. That is something we agreed with and did not question.
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9
9
Age
38 - 39
Treated
2018 - 2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
9
9
I never felt rushed at my appointments with Dr Lalwani. She always explained the reason for what she was recommending. She made a difficult infertility journey easier to go through .During the IVF process if I had any question, she was always available to talk to me over the phone...She does not mind answering questions...First cycle: Birth control pills/ ICSI. First cycle no embryos frozen Second cycle: estrace prime/ICSI to get better quality embryos. Blastocyst frozen, and then transferred in a frozen embryo cycle. That resulted in a pregnancy
[George Washington University] is a small practice, and are able to give you individualized care. The doctors all communicate with each other, regarding the patients so I feel good that there are multiple physicians looking at my case. I really did not see any weaknesses...My nurse was an excellent communicator. The other nurses I met during the procedures were also excellent...I never felt rushed at my appointments with Dr Lalwani. She always explained the reason for what she was recommending.
Age
38 - 39
Treated
2018 - 2019
Success with this Doc
Yes
Race
—
Income
$200K - $499K
Occupation
Business Executive
Order & Number of Docs Seen
1 Doc Seen
Treatment
3 IUI, 2 IVF
Diagnosis
Unexplained
9
9
How was your experience with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
I never felt rushed at my appointments with Dr Lalwani. She always explained the reason for what she was recommending. She made a difficult infertility journey easier to go through .During the IVF process if I had any question, she was always available to talk to me over the phone.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
Don't hesitate to ask questions, and ask for explanations if things are not clear to you. She does not mind answering questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Sasmira Lalwani at George Washington University?
She was compassionate, caring and patiently answered all my questions.
Describe the protocols Sasmira Lalwani used in your cycles at George Washington University and their degree of success.
First cycle: Birth control pills/ ICSI.
First cycle no embryos frozen
Second cycle: estrace prime/ICSI to get better quality embryos.
Blastocyst frozen, and then transferred in a frozen embryo cycle.
That resulted in a pregnancy
Describe your experience with your nurse at George Washington University.
My nurse was an excellent communicator. The other nurses I met during the procedures were also excellent
Describe your experience with George Washington University.
It is a small practice, and are able to give you individualized care.
The doctors all communicate with each other, regarding the patients so I feel good that there are multiple physicians looking at my case.
I really did not see any weaknesses.
Describe Sasmira Lalwani's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at George Washington University.
Dr Lalwani advocated SET
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