Hal Danzer

Dr. Danzer completely mislead me to convince me to do IVF with him and then he failed to deliver on his promises. From the beginning, I did not have infertility issues. I did IVF to eliminate a dominant gene from being passed down. Dr. Danzer kept telling I will have plenty of embryos after one round and not to worry. I had 34 follicles when we began treatment, I was 28 years old, and I had absolutely 0 signs of any health issues or infertility whatsoever. I am an IVF clinic dream patient. Mr partner completed a semen analysis and Dr. Danzer said his semen was "in the top 10% of semen [he has] ever seen." Dr. Danzer started my treatment by loading me up on 300 units of Gonal F and 75 units of menopur to begin treatment, failing to consider my age, health, lack of infertility issues, etc. I was on stimulants for I think 13 days!!!! At retrieval, Dr. Danzer removed 20 eggs. Of those eggs, 15 fertilized and only 5 became blastocycts! After genetic testing, we had 1 fair quality embryo left. This is the result of Dr. Danzer's promises of "plenty of embryos." Not to mention, Dr. Danzer convinced me to pay thousands of dollars additional for the embryoscopy because "we would have so many options and it would be good to know which ones are the best quality to transfer." We had ONE embryo and every other clinic has since told me that they do not even offer embryoscopy because they are almost useless these days. We had a fatal gene that we were trying to avoid passing down. We had so many people chip in to help us pay for Dr. Danzer and his result for a fertile, very healthy 28 year old woman was one fair quality embryo. I am SO upset. 20 follicles retrieved, 19 mature, 15 fertilized, 5 blastocysts, 1 fair quality embryo all while promising "plenty of embryos." Again, I had 0 fertility issues and was a 28 year old extremely healthy person. After recovery from the devastation from SCRC and Dr. Danzer, months later I decided to go to Dr. Marrs at California Fertility Partners. Dr. Marrs comforted me to let me know it is still very likely that I will be able to have plenty of embryos. Despite being scarred by Dr. Danzer, I trusted Dr. Marrs and gave it a shot. Dr. Marrs was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC. He retrieved 35 follicles, 30 of which fertilized, 16 became blastocysts and they are now off to genetic testing. Can you please recognize the difference in quality between these two doctors? 5 embryos to testing from SRCR and Dr. Danzer vs. 16 at a later round with California Fertility Partners and Dr. Marrs is a completely different result. I actually have a real shot at having healthy babies now. It is also important to note that SCRC has two floors: One floor for blood work and one level for doctors and retrieval. I barely saw Dr. Danzer. I went in every other day for blood work and ultrasounds and only saw nurses and ultrasound technicians. At California Fertility Partners, I saw a doctor every time I came to the office and everything is handled on the same floor as to not make you feel like the doctors are (literally) above you and unreachable. Choosing an IVF clinic is so difficult. Please don't make my mistake a waste over $30,000 with SCRC and Dr. Danzer.

Leave and go to California Fertility Partners with Dr. Marrs where you are treated with a plan customized to your body and needs.

Dr. Danzer loaded me up with Gonal F at 300 units and Menopur at 75 units. I was 28, 34 follicles, and no infertility issues. He completed diminished the quality of my follicles. He later dropped my Gonal F, but it was too late. He ruined my cycle.

I don't remember, but Dr. Danzer and SCRC were more expensive than Dr. Marrs and California Fertility Partners.

Danzer is an extremely caring doctor who is great at explaining things, parsing our information so as not to overwhelm, and keeping in touch and making his team available to answer questions. I didn’t want to leave after my pregnancy was deemed viable, because he treated me with so much more care, education and attention than my OB

Danzer had a strong preference to transfer just one embryo which was aligned with my research and my husband and my expectations. I had 2 embryos so was happy to only transfer one so we have the second in case we want to use it down the line.

Dr. Danzer is a wonderful mix between compassionate doctor and knowledgeable & experienced professional. I appreciate his delicate position as a fertility doctor, where there are no absolutes. He walks the line well between enthusiasm & sober reality of percentages. I have been recommending him to friends. I don’t see an egotistical motivation in Dr. Danzer & I appreciate that he’s rather humble & conserves his words.

Read their website info, educate yourself before & during your time in his care. He won’t have time in appointments to explain every detail of all of the ART possibilities, he’ll tell you what he recommends. If there’s something you don’t know, he does a good job of answering questions.

Taking Levothyroxine for my Thryroid to get labs in the right place months in advance. Taking Vitamin D supplement & DHEA 75mg daily. IVF recommended, but so far I can’t afford it as a student. Will keep trying to get a loan later after I’ve started a new job. Took Clomid for 5 days & 1 trigger shot, 2-3 transvaginal ultrasounds before IUI. My fiancé had a sperm wash morning of IUI. Only the 1st IUI, I understand many couples do 3-6 generally. So I’m not deterred that we had a negative result. Will keep trying & be receptive to new life.

Cost for ultrasounds, IUI & injection drug we’re reasonable for the LA area. Less than what my gynecologist quoted me.

I always felt like I was in good hands with Dr. Danzer! He always explained everything to me, made me feel at ease and hopeful. I never had any doubts in him. His Protocols were effective and didn't leave me feeling horrendous like some other doctors/protocols. Even though we didn't achieve the hope for results, the experience wasn't terrible.

Be aware that he is extremely busy, so his time may be limited and access impossible.

Agonist Protocol.

I would have a window between 7am and 11am, to go for blood-work and ultrasounds. Even though the waits would be of 1+ hours, it was convenient most of the time. Wasn't made to wait around once I was done with the tests, I could go home and instructions would be given to me then!

Prices in 2017 ROUND #1 SCRC Multiple charges of $340 - $510 a pop prior and post starting cycle which amounted to $2,655 just for blood, ultrasound and extra testing. IVF Round $6,295 | Roxbury Surgery (for egg retrieval) ART CENTER - ROXBURY SURGERY CENTER - IVF EMBRYOLOGY/ASSISTED FERT/EMBRYO CRYOPRESERVATION $13,240. (Medication prices not included). ROUND #2 (with transfer) IVF Round $6,051 | Roxbury Surgery (for egg retrieval) ART CENTER - ROXBURY SURGERY CENTER - IVF EMBRYOLOGY/ASSISTED FERT/EMBRYO CRYOPRESERVATION $12,590. (Medication prices not included) | HSS (HYSTEROSONOGRAM) w/saline solution $565.00 | TRANSFER OF EMBRYO $3,370. | Additional testing (bloodwork, ultrasound etc) not included in Cycle $4,785.

We only had one embryo to transfer anyway.

As I mentioned, Dr. Danzer was kind and personable, but I had very little interaction with him. I also feel that my protocol and care was standardized, not personalized. I did have great trust in Dr. Danzer, that he knew what he was doing (his history and notariety speak for themselves) and that he would obtain the best results he could for us. I was okay with a more straight-forward approach, the results were more important to me than bedside manner. However, I would have liked a bit more personal experience and reflection on our specific case.

Definitely advocate for yourself, especially with his support staff. And I would try to build as much of a relationship with Dr. Danzer as possible early on. Try to get in front of him, when you can. A couple of times, I had to request to meet with him personally, which was arranged. I think that is helpful. Also, find one friend within his team - that helped us immensely.

Dr. Danzer used a standardized protocol - birth control pills, followed by an antagonist approach of Gonal F (primary) and Menopur (secondary), with Cetrotide and trigger at time of egg retrieval. We have not moved on to the transfer cycle with him yet, so not sure of his protocol there. I felt pretty fine on the medication. The staff met with me for instruction, and offered a helpful website with videos. Because of my age, he did hit me with higher dosages. I was unsure of this, at the time, but now feel that might have been the right way to go. I ended up having to be on the meds for two extra days, for response growth. I came in for ultrasounds and blood draws every other morning. My egg retrieval went smoothly, however I did end up having slight OHSS about one week later. It cleared up the following week. We were happy with our results at first, then a bit disappointed. Retrieved 20, but less than half fertilized. We did send most off for genetic screening, but the majority were abnormal. Dr. Danzer did offer good education on our results, which I appreciated.

This was definitely not an inexpensive clinic, but I knew that going in. We were paying for the best. Both Dr. Danzer and the clinic/lab have stellar scores, no question. I was happy with the fact that the clinic did try to find us savings, where possible. I don't know that I would go so far as to say they worked with our budget, but they did try to get us some discounts.

We have not embarked on this part of the process just yet. I believe Dr. Danzer does recommend eSET, which I feel comfortable doing.

He is very knowledgeable and changes course as needed based on your response to treatment. I trusted him and felt I was getting the treatment I was expecting. I felt like he knew my case and paid attention to me beyond just the standard protocol. He also was straight forward with me regarding my options and treatment plan. He consulted other doctors in the clinic as well to get their opinions on my treatment.

Have trust in your doctor but be your own self advocate.

For retrievals I did birth control followed by menopur and follistim and added ganirelix part way through. I used an hcg trigger my first retrieval and a lupron trigger for my second retrieval. I did a transfer with birth control, Medrol, estrace, pio injections, and progesterone suppositories. I did the same for the ERA. We changed the injection time for pio for the second transfer to be exact based on the ERA.

My doctor preferred to transfer one embryo especially since they were pgd and pgs tested and we did not want to risk multiples so we selected a single embryo for each transfer.

Dr. Danzer was very warm and kind. What really stood out was his positive attitude. He kept saying things like “call me in two weeks with the positive pregnancy news!” “WHEN, not if you get pregnant.” I appreciated that. But I don’t feel he was aggressive enough or gave me enough options due to my age.

Be an advocate for yourself- it’s hard to get through to the clinic and if you have questions it’s ok to push for answers. Also, allow a loooooong time in the waiting room!

Extremely expensive.

Best reproductive doctor I found in Los Angeles, my only regret is not going to him first.

Research all your options - assisted reproductive technology is not a one size fits all treatment.

Even though clinic is always busy, ultrasounds and labs go pretty quick.

Dr Danzer explained every step of the egg freezing process in a way that I could understand and let me know what to expect. He seems to know a great deal about his field and made me feel very comfortable throughout.

Read the documents provided to you carefully so you are well informed.

Can't remember the details :(

$8000 for one cycle + $2750 for 5 years storage $4000 for medication

Dr Danzer’s experience and compassion was evident during my entire cycle. He was very present and wonderful during the transfer process. The appointments up until the egg retrieval are handled mostly by nurses.

We only transferred one embryo and the doctor did not sway us one way or another. We only have 3-4 embryos, therefore it was understood if one didn’t take we would try on the others individually.

Dr. Danzer really listened to all my concerns and took a complete medical history. He paid attention and I never felt rushed. I really appreciated his bedside manner. It was easier for me to get questions answered in person rather than over the phone, but I never had trouble getting an appointment.

If you feel he hasn't answered your question, ask for clarification. I think some patients don't want as much detail as I did so he starts with the simple answer, but will explain further if you ask him to.

I had started with a different doctor at the same clinic who I adored, but I wasn't getting results. After 3 retrievals we finally got 2 fertilized embryos, but then we couldn't get my uterine lining ready for the transfer. She kept trying higher levels of estrogen and progesterone but nothing worked. Finally she had me consult with Dr. Danzer and he did an ultrasound and thought I might do better without medication. So we tried a natural cycle with no injections, just some pills and vaginal suppositories of progesterone. It worked perfectly and I'm now pregnant.

I had several failed attempts at the clinic before seeing Dr. Danzer, and each of those cost money, so it was very expensive.

In my case because I only had 2 embryos, Dr. Danzer recommended we only transfer one, so if it didn't work we'd be able to try again.

Dr Danzer was kind from the beginning to the end. He passed on disappointing information at one point when I had no viable eggs after retrieval, but was encouraging and realistic about the next steps. He always had time to discuss and explain procedures and answer my questions with patience and compassion.

He recommended single embryo transfer to me.