Elizabeth Fino

I felt confident in Dr. Fino's recommendations. It was clear after meeting with her and discussing my course of treatment that she had reviewed my file and her recommendations were based on what was best for me individually. She was never judgmental, and understand the emotional toll that the fertility process has on patients. Would highly recommend her.

Don't be afraid to ask questions - she will take the time to answer them without judgment.

Unexplained fertility. We didn't have insurance coverage for IVF, so started out with IUIs which were covered. We were about to begin IVF when the clinics were shut down due to coronavirus, but my protocol is the following: FSH-150 & Menopur 75, Ganirelix Acetate, Ovidrel & Lupron.

IUI covered, but had co-pays for ultrasounds, etc. IVF costs estimated $12,650 for fresh transfer (not including meds $2000-8000, anesthesia $1050, ICSI or PGS, or initial cryopreservation $1500). $4000 for frozen embryo transfer.

Highly prefer eSET, but was willing to accept our decision for MET provided we understood the risks (which were well explained).

Available, intelligent, non judgmental, encouraging and realistic at same time, intelligent and well informed, no ego and open to both questions and my/my spouse’s own preferences. Strongly recommend.

Communication with support staff (billing, etc) can be challenging. Be proactive about getting the information you need and let Dr Fino know if you need help or are running into issues.

IVF injectables (follistim and ??) with monitoring (blood tests, ultrasound, in office visits) followed by egg retrieval. Had very good egg response but poor maturation. Unclear if this was due to egg quality or other factor. Was slated to begin second cycle but had to cancel due to a separate, unplanned surgery.

Quick and courteous

10k out of pocket for treatment plus costs of office visits and monitoring, which were covered by insurance. Clinic gave significant discount and some free pharmaceuticals since IVF was for preservation before cancer treatment.

Dr Fino is great. We did not see her every visit as the clinic's schedule rotated. Certain doctors did certain procedures on specific days. But our consultations and appointments with her were always great. She took time to listen to our concerns and fully explain things. It was never rushed.

Book earlier than you think. They are very busy and it can take a while to get an initial appointment.

Honestly can't remember the specifics...

Monitoring was from 7-9am 7 days a week. I am sure exceptions could be made if needed but I never needed to request this. It would be crowded but I always arrived before 7 and was one of the first patients to be seen. I actually appreciated the set up of a morning monitoring window because I could get in and out before starting my workday and get my results/instructions before the end of the day.

On par with other NYC facilities but to be honest, I can't remember exactly.

NYU prefers and indeed recommends single embryo transfer, especially if you opt for PGS, due to the risks associated with a multiples pregnancy.

Dr. Fino was very thorough and professional. She patiently explained the whole process to me including risks and benefits in great detail. I took down notes during my consultation, and by the end, I had a whole page of notes. The most important thing was that she got me an amazing result for my egg retrieval. I was 37 yo, and she managed to retrieve 23 and freeze 21! I was thrilled! I was expecting about half the number of eggs given my age. On top of that, I had requested no anesthesia to save on the cost of an anesthesiologist. Basically Dr. Fino just worked with me throughout the procedure. If it was too painful, she would pause and then continue when I was ready. Even with the pausing, she worked fast and was done in 15-20min. I'm still amazed that she retrieved that many eggs and with no anesthesia!

Bring pen and paper with you because Dr. Fino can give you a ton of information and advice! The clinic will give you booklets and written instructions, but she can you answer your specific questions very thoroughly and in detail!

I used gonadal F, menopur and ovidrel for the egg retrieval and freezing.

Monitoring appointments were first come, first serve from 7am to 10am. The earlier you went, the faster you could be seen. I personally liked the flexibility of having a walk-in appointment over making an appointment for a specific time.

I was diagnosed with a full thickness intramural fibroid that was pushing into the uterine cavity, preventing me from conceiving. Dr. Fino initially recommended that she remove the portion of the fibroid pushing into the cavity via a hysterscopic myomectomy. After my first surgery with her, she suggested we go back in and clean the cavity one more time before proceeding with IVF. I agreed. However, I should have followed my gut. The remaining fibroid continued to be a problem and Dr. Fino continued to suggest 2-3 more hysterscopic myomectomies. In this day and age, women successfully have lap procedures to remove fibroids before conceiving. I do not think that Dr. Fino had my best interest at heart. I sought a second opinion with a fibroid specialist who removed the remaining fibroid via robotic myomectomy. I healed well, transferred my care to RMA and am now 9 weeks pregnant after a successful IVF cycle. I am so happy that I listened to my gut. I would have appreciated her referring me to someone who knew how to properly manage and remove intramural fibroids; instead of performing procedures that put my uterus at risk for scaring. She is money hungry and that's the bottom line.

Listen to your gut

Dr. Fino is exceptionally knowledgable, practical and compassionate. She spends at least 20 minutes with me every call we have and thoroughly answers all of my questions. She's also exceptionally open to hearing what research I have done or approaches I would like to consider. I appreciate that after my first failed transfer of a PGS tested embryo she gave me information on a reproductive immunologist to further explore additional options.

Don't be discouraged by the fact that you don't see her very often or that you can't get immediate access to her. She is exceptionally responsive and thorough and if you schedule a call you will get all the time you want/need with her. She's been fantastic and I trust her completely.

IUI protocol: letrozal (for PCOS) First Egg Retrieval: Gonal F (150), Menopur (150) both tapered down to 75 toward end of stimulation, Cetrotide First Transfer Cycle: Estrace (2 mgs, 4 mgs, 6 mgs), Progesterone 1.5cc First cycle Vitamins/Medicines: 750 mg Metformin, 600 mg CoQ10, 800 mg Folic Acid, 2,000 mg Vitamin D3 After failed transfer Dr. Fino performed a saline sonogram to look for fibroids and/or endometriosis and an endometrial biopsy. The biopsy found Endometritis. Husband and I were treated with strong course of 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. Second Egg Retrieval: Gonal F (150), Menopur (150) both tapered down to 75 toward end of stimulation, Cetrotide. During this retrieval Dr. Masbou performed a follow up endometrial biopsy or scratch to both confirm Endometritis was cleared and at the recommendation of Dr. Jonathan Scher (reproductive immunologist). Second Transfer Cycle: Includes protocols from Dr. Jonathan Scher (reproductive immunologist as well). Estrace (2 mgs, 4 mgs, 6 mgs), Progesterone 1.5cc, Baby Aspirin (81 mg), Lovenox (0.6mL), Intralipid 20% Second cycle Vitamins/Medicines: 1500 mg Metformin, VitaCare (prescribed prenatal), 600 mg CoQ10, 1.4 mg Folic Acid (Metanx), 4,000 mg Vitamin D3, Fem-Dophilus pro-biotic, 400 mg Magnesium Citrate, Prednisone (15 mg per day), Synthroid (25 mg)

Well oiled machine. Check in at computers up front and wait to be called. Blood taken first then sent to room for the ultrasound. I always get there early and am in and out in no time.

Our first cycle was completely covered by United Healthcare with the exception of PGS testing. The first cycle totaled approximately $21,000. Our second cycle (retrieval, PGS testing and transfer) have been completely covered by Progeny.

NYU recommends single embryo transfer for PGS tested embryos. We discussed all of the risks.

There is nothing constructive to say about Dr Fino. She is a great communicator, pays attention to every detail in our paperwork/conversations and is extremely compassionate. We just did retrieval earlier this week and our numbers were good. Dr Fino noted that my wife was at risk for OHSS and carefully adjusted her medications and schedule to get the best possible results with minimal discomfort (even though this information was usually relayed to us by the nurses).

You're one-on-one time with her may be limited so always be prepared with questions. That being said, it's not difficult to reach a nurse or another doctor in the practice that can help you along the way.

We had completed an unsuccessful IUI with my wife's OBGYN and, given her age (almost 41) decided to move straight into IVF. With Dr Fino we timed my wife's cycle, started with the injection therapy, and did a retrieval. We are waiting to see how many viable embryos there are after day 5/6. Then the plan is to do PGS (at an outside lab) and frozen embryo transfer.

There are a LOT of people doing morning monitoring at NYU Fertility right now. If you arrive at the tail end of a particularly busy day (9am, as opposed to coming closer to 7am) you could be there for 45 minutes. But the staff and operations there are generally very efficient and have everything down to a science.

We are fortunately covered for 3 cycles of IVF through insurance (but not PGS testing). From what it looks like, their costs are comparable to NYC average.

NA

Warm bedside manner. Takes her time during initial consultation. Difficult to get a hold of in between visits. No guarantees you would see her for follow-up visits due to the structure of the clinic which involves seeing any IVF doctor who is doing monitoring or procedures on the day you need to come in.

She is a wonderful doctor, and I would have been happy to work with her, but at NYU there are no guarantees of which doctor will see you for appointments which was not a good fit for me.

I had a cycle of timed intercourse during which I took Ovidrel as trigger shot and then took Progesterone for two weeks after, but not successful.

minimal co-pays

NYU recommends eSET

I think Dr. Fino is very kind and explains all of your options well. However, in my 9 months of treatment, I only saw her twice. She does seem very busy nonetheless so your time with her is limited.

Lower expectations of doctor facetime/contact. Doctor is difficult to get ahold of by phone.

I was on 9 cycles of Letrozole with no changes in treatment over the course of that time. In addition, I had one surgery to remove a polyp that she thought might improve my chances.

IUI cycles top to bottom are about $1500-2000 per month depending on the monitoring costs. As I move onto frozen transfer IVF, it is estimated it would cost about $18k top to bottom.

N/A

As a patient I met her once- after that I was thrown into the NYU system. I can't really rate her as I was her patient because I hardly ever dealt with her at all- when I would finally be able to pin her down on the phone I had good clear candid conversations with her- I think she was clear and understood my perspective and honored that- but I did not get any sort of follow up from her and no human communication- even when I got pregnant-

Be extremely persistent in regards to communication- she will not follow up it is really on you to make extra phone calls and demand calls back and time to talk to her about issues you may have

I only wanted to use IUI as my insurance would not cover anything else- so she helped facilitate that and believed that there were quite a few options with in the IUI cycle that may work for me- so if Clomid wasn't working we could go down a different road in the IUI system. I felt this was really helpful and I really appreciated that she did not push IVF which I was opposed to

$1k

My interaction with her was limited other than determining a plan of action pre- and post-cycle. I never doubted her abilities, but did not have direct contact with her during the course of treatment to explain why certain decisions around timing and hormone levels were being made.

Understand that you will not see her directly or be able to access her directly during cycles, but rest assured that the clinic is a well oiled machine.

First time was typically 300 Follistim and 150 Menapur. For this current cycle, starting an estrogen patch a week before beginning injections to stabilize my estrogen levels and hopefully generate eggs that are more consistent (14 eggs retrieved last time, but many were too mature or too young).

7-9am. If you get there early, you should be seen within 15-30 minutes. Restrictive hours, though.

$15.5k for cycle with PGS, $3k for meds and $5k for PGS

Strongly encouraged to do single.

Dr. Fino is an extremely intelligent and humane doctor who is well-versed in the latest research. She is collaborative and not paternalistic. At NYU you definitely don't see your doctor every visit but I always knew she was looking out for me. Dr. Fino let me try IVF with my own eggs three times even though my results were always atrocious (bad eggs). When I switched to donor eggs my donor had her best cycle ever and I'm on my second successful pregnancy from that cycle.

If you have a question that the nurses can't answer, don't be afraid to call Dr. Fino's office directly.

3 different IVF protocols with some additional adjustments to see if we could make my eggs work -- there was one we didn't try but by that time I was over it and wanted to move on to donor eggs.

Monitoring is an efficient cattle-call. I loved being in and out before work. When I moved out of the area and traveled in for a cycle they accommodated me during non-monitoring hours when it was mor convenient for me.

I can't remember the exact price of the cycles but they are pretty upfront about the costs.

Dr Fino is knowledgable and kind. She is realistic but also supportive and encouraging during a time that can feel hopeless and frustrating. She wants what's best for you and you can feel that she is completely behind you.

To ask a lot of questions because she will answer you honestly, not sugar coating, but also not making you feel helpless.

Menopur + Gonal F, trigger was Ovridel and Lupron

Rather efficient...not terrible waiting times, to be expected.

I have UHC/Progyny insurance and it's amazing.

I found her to be extremely competent and realistic. She also had my best interests at heart and was very "real" about how to proceed. I didn't have many choices because of my situation- but she was very optimistic about my course and everything turned out positive for me. I was very lucky!

With any fertility treatment, there are so many emotions. Try to not get too wrapped up and trust them. Maybe I was lucky because things went according to plan, but there were times I didn't see her and I was ok with that. It didn't bother me but I know it bothered other people. I trusted that things were going according to plan and Dr. Fino did not disappoint.

It was mostly a well oiled machine but I did have an emergency once where I was injured and worried about the pregnancy. They saw me immediately and my doctor made sure to see me as well.

Egg freeze - $12000 Ivf- $7000 OOP

I would have liked to have more communication with her, but overall the experience was good. She is right in the middle when it comes to giving information in a soft manner vs. a cold manner. We communicated the most when I was deciding to do IVF.

Do your homework and breath a lot.

12,500 for treatment. 9,000 for drugs and pgs testing was 3,600

She didnt recommend testing other than hormone blood work and ultrasound and pushed me to begin medication. In retrospect she should have recommended a HSG, male factor testing, immune factor testing, Prometrium challenge, etc.

If you aren’t ready for IVF don’t bother.

NA

Under $500 for consultation and basic diagnostics test.

NA

The reception staff was terrible! I can't even pretend that they weren't. However, all of the nurses and finance people were amazing!

Don't let the receptionist annoy you. Don't be afraid to ask questions

We used IUI and Planned on doing that for 3 rounds. IF unsuccessful we would switch to IVF. Dr Fino was very accommodating. After the first unsuccessful IUI she allowed us to take the IVF classes and prepare for IVF while continuing the IUI treatment. We were luckily successful with the second IUI

Dr FIno was very engaging and I know she wanted to see us with a pregnancy. We never changed up our approach towards pregnancy. I would have liked for her to have offered more aggressive treatment or solutions to our recurring losses.

Do research and ask about trying different methods to achieve pregnancy.

We did IUI with clomid, never did progesterone.

Dr. Fino was very nice, took a lot of time with us listening. Seemed very intelligent and knowledgeable. Gave us all our options.

Understand that you won't see her every time you come in for visits (and there will be a lot of them). But that she is aware of what's going on and is monitoring everything.

The initial consultation with Dr. Fino was great and we left feeling optimistic about the next steps. Given that we received zero communication during the following three IUI's and the Dr wasn't present for any of the procedures, we moved onto a new clinic with a more personal approach. NYU is clearing pushing patients through the system en-masse which may be perfectly fine for some individuals.

Follow up and insist on speaking with the Dr. You are unlikely to hear from Dr. Fino if you simply wait to be contacted

From memory, my wife was prescribed Clomid to assist in ovulating multiple eggs. In 2 of 3 cycles, the drug had no effect and only one egg was produced and in 1 of the cycles, two follicles developed. Had the Dr been monitoring the results, I assume another drug may have been prescribed to assist.

Initial consultation plus scan $760. Each IUI round $1045

I absolutely trust this doctor, I also know my chances due to my age and I think we are on the same page. I am exploring all of my options and open to everything she suggests. She also always listens to what I have to say or suggest as well.

educate yourself as much as you can before hand in order to ask questions. It helps

I always had max dosage due to DOR, my first cycle was cancelled and we did IUI instead, my second cycle was good (6 follicles, 6 eggs, 3 embryos)

you have to come during monitoring hours and if you come early - you leave early.

out of pocket: IUI medicated - around 5K. medication for IVF - around 5K, 15,5K cycle with PGD testing. All pre IVF tests and surgery (75-100k) were covered by insurance, IUI and IVF were denied.

single embryo with generic testing, frozen cycle

I would talk with dr Fino but someone else would perform the surgery. That left me feeling a bit concerned. She was very thorough and had me do several exams and screenings to ensure that I had optimal conditions for conception

be patient

Well oiled machine