My experience with Dr. Guarnaccia wasn't negative--he was nice and friendly, but the treatment felt rote, and his medication recommendations were very standard combinations of medications for me that had also been recommended to other women at the follow-up experience where you're taught how to inject yourself
Extend Fertility had a very calm, soothing atmosphere, patient privacy seemed paramount, and it didn't feel like a clinical environment. Those are the positives. The negatives are that they don't--or didn't, in my case--seem to offer any flexibility in terms of caring for patients with co-morbidities that may affect egg retrieval cycles.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I explained at the outset of my first consultation that I'm not the average patient, given my conditions, but Dr. Guarnaccia launched into the general statistics for egg freezing/fertility by age, the relevance of AMH, potential side effects--the standard dog and pony show (Extend was not the first clinic I visited--I also went to NYU, but the doctor there acknowledged me and handed me a packet and told me to schedule an appointment). My experience with Dr. Guarnaccia wasn't negative--he was nice and friendly, but the treatment felt rote, and his medication recommendations were very standard combinations of medications for me that had also been recommended to other women at the follow-up experience where you're taught how to inject yourself. I had specifically asked if he'd be willing to consult my endocrinologist and rheumatologist and my pain management doctor who manages my MCAS diagnosis, and he demurred. It's such an enormous investment of time, money, physical pain, psychological pain (I'm terrified of blood draws) that I wasn't satisfied I'd get the tailored treatment a patient like me probably needs, which was disappointing.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
If you're young and healthy, he'd likely be a good choice for you. I think I'd heard he's not known for his bedside manner, but I found him to be likeable enough. I actually cared less about those metrics and much more about my doctor's commitment to tailoring my care/medications to fit my needs, and I didn't have enough confidence that my concerns about that were being heard.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I was and am an extremely informed patient wanting to pursue egg freezing at the time, but concerned because of my medical history, which includes autoimmune issues. I had been led to expect that I would get tailored information during the consultation and afterwards, and during my appointments for bloodwork which would be tailored to my conditions, and could help decide whether egg freezing would be right for me, which medications might work, which ones might cause flare-ups, etc. What I got from the doctor was instead a very rote, paint-by-numbers list of statistics and charts of what to expect success-wise by age and AMH, with no accounting for other factors. I expected doctors to meet me where I am, as a person and a patient with co-morbidities, but instead this made me feel like I was a potential customer being offered standard packages.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
I have them written down somewhere, but I don't have access to them at the moment--basically, Extend has four medication packages they offer in conjunction with the pharmacies they partner with, with varying strengths/dosages of medications. On a scale of 1 (being the least intense) and 5 being the most intense, he recommended dosages of Gonal-F and Menopur (I believe) at the 4 level/amount/dosage. I wish I could be more specific.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Kezia Onel)
Kezia was, I believe, my overall coordinator, but my questions were about my current autoimmune medications and conditions (thyroid levels, other medications I was/am on, etc), so I was referred to a nurse, Stephanie. She didn't really have any answers for me--which wasn't entirely unexpected, as she wasn't a rheumatologist or endocrinologist, which is why I was really hoping that my doctor would consult with my other doctors to provide the right course of treatment for me. But otherwise my nurse and care coordinator were very personable and friendly.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Extend Fertility had a very calm, soothing atmosphere, patient privacy seemed paramount, and it didn't feel like a clinical environment. Those are the positives. The negatives are that they don't--or didn't, in my case--seem to offer any flexibility in terms of caring for patients with co-morbidities that may affect egg retrieval cycles. What they offer are packages (dosages of medications and treatment schedules)--and my sense was that they fit the patient to the package, not the package to the patient, which someone like me needs. If you have thyroid issues, rheumatology issues, MCAS, a condition like Ehlers Danlos, or really just any medical issue that requires you to take medication(s) that affect your endocrine system, or if you receive more specialist care than you do from your GP, Extend Fertility may not be the right place for you.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
At the time, with a promotion, a single egg freezing cycle was $5500, not including medications. My medications (the ones/dosages recommended to me) were in the $4500 range. So, about $10,000. I believe the costs now are about $12,000.
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
I was not enquiring about IVF at the time so this was not applicable to me.
What specific things went wrong at Extend Fertility?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Extend Fertility.
I sent in all of my labwork from other clinics and my personal specialists, and there were major inconsistencies in my bloodwork done at Extend vs. not only my regular endocrinologist, but also at Cornell and NYU. My Day 1, 2, and 3 results were wildly inconsistent with other labs; for example, my AMH was 2/3 lower than each of the other labs (Sunrise as well as Cornell and NYU's labs). My E2, FSH, and LH were also wildly different at Extend's lab vs. the other labs, which were in the same general range, and the Extend Lab values made me seem less likely to succeed with one cycle only. I asked about this, but got a general answer that "lab results differ." It seemed an odd coincidence, though.
[Dr. Michael Guarnaccia] is very cold and brusque...was no in-depth analysis of my case and specific factors...was no discussion on autoimmune issues, investigating for endometriosis...started me on the highest doses of Menopur and Gonal-F and never adjusted my protocol...felt like I was on a production line.
[Oma Fertility New York] was very small...did not have all of the equipment needed for their services, which required going to a different clinic for retrievals...finance department was very efficient and communicated smoothly...office manager was unorganized...Tanisha was OUTSTANDING! Working with her was the best part of my experience
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
I did not enjoy my experience as a patient with Dr. Guarnaccia. He is very cold and brusque. Infertility is a difficult journey, so I think it is important that providers try to be more sensitive with patients. With Dr. Guarnaccia, I felt like I was on a production line.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
If you are under 35 you can take the risk of giving him a try. However if you are older and/or have PCOS, autoimmune issues, or endometriosis you are better off seeking an RE that takes a more comprehensive and investigative approach to fertility treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
There was no in-depth analysis of my case and specific factors. Dr. Guarnaccia used my age to decide my protocol, putting me on a high-dose of medication. There was no discussion on autoimmune issues, investigating for endometriosis, etc. My care felt standard and cookie-cutter.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)) and their degree of success.
I do recall that Dr. Guarnaccia started me on the highest doses of Menopur and Gonal-F and never adjusted my protocol during my stimulation phase.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)). (Assigned nurse: Tanisha Henry)
Tanisha was OUTSTANDING! Working with her was the best part of my experience with OMA. Tanisha was kind, paid excellent attention to detail, and went above and beyond. I hold her in the highest regard.
Describe your experience with Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
The facility was very small. When I was a patient, they did not have all of the equipment needed for their services, which required going to a different clinic for retrievals. The finance department was very efficient and communicated smoothly. However, the office manager was unorganized.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
A single round of IVF(stimulation and egg retrieval with ICSI) was $9,000. Medication costs came to $6,000. They do not take insurance.
What specific things went wrong at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
Obtaining my patient records from them after treatment was a nightmare. I had to harass the office manager pretty much to get my records.
[Dr. Michael Guarnaccia] called me on a saturday to coldly inform me OMA has been suspended and I need to seek help elsewhere...just said "good luck to you,"...my IUI plans (all the while i was on a birth control on his terms, trying to accommodate IUI schedule that was supposed to start on a Tuesday), with all my meds purchased,
[Pinnacle Fertility] ignored all my emails regarding my refund for IUI...begged them to not against my will ship the sperm to LA (sperm travelled from Atlanta to NY when I purchased, then NY to LA against my will, then from LA to NY again and they made me pay $400 for shipping, which I paid $300 originally as is) I got ignored on all
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He called me on a saturday to coldly inform me OMA has been suspended and I need to seek help elsewhere, while i was in Nola trying to enjoy a little vacation prior my 3rd IUI (that never happened), just said "good luck to you," ruining my vacation, my IUI plans (all the while i was on a birth control on his terms, trying to accommodate IUI schedule that was supposed to start on a Tuesday), with all my meds purchased, on top.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He's OK I guess but he did not care what "they did to me" / no help, no guidance, like i'm a robot
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He called me on a saturday to coldly inform me OMA has been suspended and I need to seek help elsewhere, while i was in Nola trying to enjoy a little vacation prior my 3rd IUI (that never happened), just said "good luck to you," ruining my vacation, my IUI plans (all the while i was on a birth control on his terms, trying to accommodate IUI schedule that was supposed to start on a Tuesday), with all my meds purchased, on top.
Due to certain financial challenges, Oma Fertility faced constraints that necessitated operational adjustments. In response to this situation, Pinnacle Fertility stepped in to ensure the seamless continuation of comprehensive fertility services." Pinnacle Fertility will scam you in any way possible. They are heartless and cruel, do not care about your well being just robotically will take your money and treat you like a number. Thank you
Describe your experience with Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
CEO's and 10 other POCS ignored all my emails regarding my refund for IUI, and I begged them to not against my will ship the sperm to LA (sperm travelled from Atlanta to NY when I purchased, then NY to LA against my will, then from LA to NY again and they made me pay $400 for shipping, which I paid $300 originally as is) I got ignored on all. got bounce back emails.
What specific things went wrong at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
Dr. G has a good bedside manner--straightforward but warm. He is decisive about the treatments he pursues but makes sure you feel on board with each stage of treatment. He definitely seems like he knows his stuff and answers questions thoroughly and explains the science behind his decisions without being dismissive.
Extend is a clean, modern, well-run clinic with a fantastic nursing staff. Affordability is a priority for them, and I appreciate their transparent pricing and care with managing the financial aspects of the process. I felt very well supported and treated with care and dignity...I can't say enough good things about the nurses and support staff at Extend. After a horrifying few visits to a different clinic, walking into Extend felt like a breath of fresh air. They're incredibly organized, competent, and supportive. I never felt like I was falling through the cracks, and everyone greeted me by name despite it being a very busy practice. Kezia, specifically, as my patient coordinator, was truly a gem.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G has a good bedside manner--straightforward but warm. He is decisive about the treatments he pursues but makes sure you feel on board with each stage of treatment. He definitely seems like he knows his stuff and answers questions thoroughly and explains the science behind his decisions without being dismissive.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
The monitoring sessions can be brief, so if you have questions make sure to have a list ahead of time. Contact him by email if needed.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G is friendly and upbeat and present for the majority of my monitoring sessions (or as much as needed on request). He takes my questions seriously and is encouraging but realistic.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Kezia Onel)
I can't say enough good things about the nurses and support staff at Extend. After a horrifying few visits to a different clinic, walking into Extend felt like a breath of fresh air. They're incredibly organized, competent, and supportive. I never felt like I was falling through the cracks, and everyone greeted me by name despite it being a very busy practice. Kezia, specifically, as my patient coordinator, was truly a gem.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Extend is a clean, modern, well-run clinic with a fantastic nursing staff. Affordability is a priority for them, and I appreciate their transparent pricing and care with managing the financial aspects of the process. I felt very well supported and treated with care and dignity.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
$6000 per retrieval, $3000 per thaw/fertilization, PGT $300 per embryo.
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
They prefer eSET and PGT. This was what I planned to do anyway...not sure if they require it.
I have never ever experienced that type of stellar service with any other doctor...When I shared with my friends how I can email him [Dr. Guarnaccia] and get a reply back in less than 10mins they were shocked...Every Dr. visit I would come in with a list of questions I found on forums or the internet. Dr. G patiently listened and provided detailed answers to my questions, never brushing it off or telling me to stay off the internet... anytime something would happen, i.e., unexpected spotting I would email him and get a response back immediately.
The nursing staff [at Extend Fertility] was super friendly...The facility is new and clean. The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. The pricing is great. I never had to wait more than 15min in the waiting room. The Drs here were directors at top clinics. The clinic is great with email communication. Weakness: The billing department took a bit to get insurance paperwork done...Estrogen patch before my period Follistim 300 units Menopur 225 IU
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I never experienced any anxiety or questioning with Dr. Guarnaccia because anytime something would happen, i.e., unexpected spotting I would email him and get a response back immediately. I never had to sit there wondering if something was wrong or am I doing the right thing.
I am not an easy patient. Every Dr. visit I would come in with a list of questions I found on forums or the internet. Dr. G patiently listened and provided detailed answers to my questions, never brushing it off or telling me to stay off the internet.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Before Extend Fertility I was at a very well known, highly ranked fertility clinic where I would call in when I had a question, wait for over 15min on the phone with the receptionist and then be told the Dr will call you back when they get a moment which meant the next day. However, I felt like I won the lottery with Dr. Guarnaccia (Dr. G). When I shared with my friends how I can email him and get a reply back in less than 10mins they were shocked. Actually, the first time I emailed him and got a quick response I was shocked too. I have never ever experienced that type of stellar service with any other doctor.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Estrogen patch before my period
Follistim 300 units
Menopur 225 IU
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
The nursing staff was super friendly.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I did 2 rounds of IVF at Columbia but had to stop because my insurance was no longer going to cover IVF and Columbia was too expensive.
I was choosing between RMA and Expect Fertility. I went with Expect Fertility because of Dr. Guarnaccia experience & knowledge, the rates, and the state of the art lab. I didn't go with RMA because they suggested a birth control protocol.
Strengths:
The facility is new and clean. The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. The pricing is great. I never had to wait more than 15min in the waiting room. The Drs here were directors at top clinics. The clinic is great with email communication.
Weakness: The billing department took a bit to get insurance paperwork done.
I only did egg freezing [with Dr. Michael Guarnaccia]...always answered questions with patience and understanding. He's been doing this for a long time and he has empathy for his patients...is a knowledgeable and experienced doctor who is more old fashioned in the way he acts with his patients. He answered every question with patience and understanding, and I think he gets what his patients are going through because he's done this for so many years.
The nurses at Extend were amazing! They were kind and compassionate and always got an answer for any question I had. They are truly the backbone of the clinic and some of the nicest people I've met...It was a well oiled machine even on the busiest of days. When I first started at Extend they had appointments during morning monitoring hours but for my last cycle they had changed that to just showing up anytime between 7-9:30 am which I didn't like.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia is a knowledgeable and experienced doctor who is more old fashioned in the way he acts with his patients. He answered every question with patience and understanding, and I think he gets what his patients are going through because he's done this for so many years.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Do the research before you start the process and be as informed as possible. It goes by fast and a lot of information will be thrown your way. If you know the questions to ask you'll always get an informed response.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia always answered questions with patience and understanding. He's been doing this for a long time and he has empathy for his patients.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Microdose Lupron 10 units 2x a day
Gonal-F 450 units 1x a day
Menopur 2 vials 1x a day
Estrdiol patches
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
The nurses at Extend were amazing! They were kind and compassionate and always got an answer for any question I had. They are truly the backbone of the clinic and some of the nicest people I've met.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I think Extend Fertility knows their business inside and out and I was happy with my results. It's hard to form a normal medical relationship with the doctors/nurses/staff because you're only a patient at the clinic temporarily so sometimes you can feel like a number. However, I think the staff tries their hardest not to make you feel that way, even on the busiest of days.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
It was a well oiled machine even on the busiest of days. When I first started at Extend they had appointments during morning monitoring hours but for my last cycle they had changed that to just showing up anytime between 7-9:30 am which I didn't like. Busy days were harder but everyone was always kind and worked very hard.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
Cycles were $5200 for the first and $4000 for any cycles performed after that. I don't recall the costs of all the medications but that differs for everyone.
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
Dr. Guarnaccia used a chart to determine the correct dosage for my egg retrieval medications based on my blood test and ultra sound results. He assured me that I was in the 95 percentile for my age so I am getting the lowest dose of hormones, which I appreciate.... He was very straightforward and informative. Easy to talk to, willing and able to answer all my questions.
I really like Extend Fertility!... They assign an administrator to you and he/she is with you throughout the process. That has been very nice....I have not had much experience with the nursing staff but everyone at the clinic seems very warm and professional.... I thought I was told that egg freezing has a limit on how long eggs can be frozen but was then told that they can be frozen indefinitely.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
He seems well-informed and willing to answer my questions and spend time with me going over information. I felt comfortable in his hands and believe he is good at his job. I liked him and appreciate him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I would go in with an open mind and understand that he is a busy man but he is present with you! He goes over all pertinent information and makes you feel well-informed. He is not going to add fluff but I think that is a good thing. He knows what he is talking about and has a lot of education and experience to back it up.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
He was very straightforward and informative. Easy to talk to, willing and able to answer all my questions.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. Guarnaccia used a chart to determine the correct dosage for my egg retrieval medications based on my blood test and ultra sound results. He assured me that I was in the 95 percentile for my age so I am getting the lowest dose of hormones, which I appreciate.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
I have not had much experience with the nursing staff but everyone at the clinic seems very warm and professional.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I really like Extend Fertility! They marketed to me on Instagram and since that ad, the process had been very easy! They assign an administrator to you and he/she is with you throughout the process. That has been very nice.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
approx. $6.5 k for the procedure, $4.5K for ten years of storage. $2.5K goes directly to pharmacy (this is the lowest dosage of hormones. They get more expensive as the amounts go up).... Overall, I think this is cheaper than the big NYC hospitals.
What specific things went wrong at Extend Fertility?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Extend Fertility.
I thought I was told that egg freezing has a limit on how long eggs can be frozen but was then told that they can be frozen indefinitely. I may have misheard!
[Dr. Guarnaccia] was very straightforward and detailed, which is an approach I really appreciated. I felt that he was able to express care and concern while also being direct (warmth in a doctor is not a requirement for me in treatment). I would definitely recommend Dr. G to my friends who are interested in egg freezing... explained my bloodwork and ultrasound results, and showed me data comparing my results to others my age. He was specific about his recommendations regarding getting genetic testing done for my family's history of breast cancer.
The window for the monitoring appointments [at Extend Fertility] was large enough that I never felt rushed or that it was an inconvenience. As I mentioned, at times the waiting area was very crowded, but the staff is so efficient that it moved fast...Freezing = 5500...Storage = 2000...The clinic is very organized and efficient. At times there would be many clients waiting to get their ultrasounds done in the mornings, but the process moved fast and I was never left waiting for long. The staff really listens to your concerns and makes themselves available to you.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was very straightforward and detailed, which is an approach I really appreciated. I felt that he was able to express care and concern while also being direct (warmth in a doctor is not a requirement for me in treatment). I would definitely recommend Dr. G to my friends who are interested in egg freezing.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Come with your questions prepared--your anxiety will lessen as he gives you concrete information.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
During my consultation, Dr. G reviewed details of my blood work and ultrasound, and the likely outcome of my egg freezing. I discussed my extensive family history of breast cancer and Dr. G strongly recommended I get genetic testing done before the egg freezing process so that we could adjust the hormones if necessary.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. G explained my bloodwork and ultrasound results, and showed me data comparing my results to others my age. He was specific about his recommendations regarding getting genetic testing done for my family's history of breast cancer.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
While I did not work specifically with one nurse, they were all compassionate and able to answer any questions I had.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
The clinic is very organized and efficient. At times there would be many clients waiting to get their ultrasounds done in the mornings, but the process moved fast and I was never left waiting for long. The staff really listens to your concerns and makes themselves available to you.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
The window for the monitoring appointments was large enough that I never felt rushed or that it was an inconvenience. As I mentioned, at times the waiting area was very crowded, but the staff is so efficient that it moved fast.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
Freezing = 5500
Storage = 2000
Meds = 2169 (I was able to use my friend's leftover hormone meds so saved around $400)
Total = $9669
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
[Dr. Guarnaccia] was always kind and honest during my scans and egg retrieval procedures. As a 40 year old woman with only 1 ovary I had to be realistic about my situation. I really appreciated that though it would be a longer road I was always told that there was still hope...There were many times where my body was not responding to the course of treatment and instead of pressing me to go forward he would always give me the choice of wether I wanted to continue going forward knowing that the chances of an optimal result were low or to stop for this cycle and then try again next cycle. It made me feel good knowing he was more concerned with the result as opposed to just completing the cycle.
The nursing staff at the clinic is wonderful. I've been going to Extend for 2 years. The only negative thing I have to say is that as they grow in popularity and become a lot busier small details fall through the cracks a bit in terms of being able to ask follow up questions and phone calls...their monitoring hours were perfect because they started at 7am which allowed me to go before work. This was important for me so that I did not have to explain anything to my workplac
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was alway honest and realistic during my treatment. There were many times where my body was not responding to the course of treatment and instead of pressing me to go forward he would always give me the choice of wether I wanted to continue going forward knowing that the chances of an optimal result were low or to stop for this cycle and then try again next cycle. It made me feel good knowing he was more concerned with the result as opposed to just completing the cycle.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
My work schedule forced me to come into the clinic very early when they opened at 7am and sometimes I would miss having him scan me. If its important to you to be always seen by the doctor I recommend coming in a little later (8am)
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr G was always kind and honest during my scans and egg retrieval procedures. As a 40 year old woman with only 1 ovary I had to be realistic about my situation. I really appreciated that though it would be a longer road I was always told that there was still hope.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
A year prior I had to have my right ovary removed due to a dermoid cyst. Due to my age I had a diminished ovarian reserve and had to take the maximum amount of hormones to see good results. For my first cycle we did a Follistim and Menopur protocol. But my body didn't respond and the cycle had to be cancelled early on. I did an estrogen patch for the days leading up to day 1 of my cycle and then. Then the next two successful cycles I did a micro-flare protocol where I took Follistim (once a day), Menopur (twice a day) and Lupron. (twice a day) and a Pregnyl trigger. For my third and most successful cycle I took Follistim and Menopur once a day and then also Ganarelyx for about 5 days towards the end of my cycle and was triggered with Pregnyl. Please keep in mind that in order to even do the 3 full cycles and retrievals I had about 3 cancelled cycles.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
The nursing staff at the clinic is wonderful. I've been going to Extend for 2 years. The only negative thing I have to say is that as they grow in popularity and become a lot busier small details fall through the cracks a bit in terms of being able to ask follow up questions and phone calls
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
The clinic is in a great location in midtown near a lot of train lines. The staff is very friendly and know what they are doing. I always felt that I was in good hands (which is important when you have to get blood drawn every other day!) The hours are great for people like myself who have to start work early (I would normally go there for 7am for my monitoring appointments). The only weakness I would say is that as they grow in popularity the waiting area can get a little cramped
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
their monitoring hours were perfect because they started at 7am which allowed me to go before work. This was important for me so that I did not have to explain anything to my workplace
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
The costs to consider were the medications, the procedure fees and the storage fees.
He [Dr. Guarnaccia] clearly had not looked at my file before he came in to perform surgery on me. ... . He asked me if I had any medical concerns. This was the first bad sign. When I said heart disease, history of fibroids, cysts and a clotting disorder, he started scrolling through his stack of papers. ... All I know is that this was an unexpected result and that I got infected under his care. ... He proceeded to go to the computer to get acquainted with my record as this was not necessarily going to be a walk in the park
They [Extend Fertility] failed to inform me that the doctor that I worked with for 6 months to freeze my eggs was not going to actually going to do the procedure! A per diem was going to take on my complex case. That was not what I signed up for. I paid this hard-earned money with no help from a loan or an insurance, that is the least I could have expected. ... That is unacceptable. I should have had the heads up to make a sound decision, instead of feeling pressed 10 mins before surgery in my hospital gown.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia came in as a tourist to perform surgery on me. It was the first time I saw him, ever, he was the per diem who came in to cover for my actual doctor that Saturday. Unlucky me. He asked me if I had any medical concerns. This was the first bad sign. When I said heart disease, history of fibroids, cysts and a clotting disorder, he started scrolling through his stack of papers. I was a little nervous at that point. He also asked me who "Jane Doe" was and I said she works here. I got alarmed then. He proceeded to go to the computer to get acquainted with my record as this was not necessarily going to be a walk in the park as he had expected. I took that moment to asked the nurse who that was. They explained my doc who I was confident in and choose to care for me, was away for Sabbath and this was the per diem who was going to perform the surgery. No one informed me of this ahead of time and I almost felt obliged to accept it. All I could think of as a patient was, I don't even know him, I just meet him and he doesn't seem competent; as well as all the money, injections, time off that it took to get to that day to freeze my eggs. I told myself it will all be fine, although I almost wanted to call my boyfriend who was sitting in the waiting room. However, the anesthesiologist came in, he knew exactly what he was doing and I thought it would be ok.
A day after my surgery, I had intense pain at work ( i have a high pain tolerance) and my boss sent me home. I called my actual fertility doctor who said everyone reacts differently, if pain persists come for a visit. As far as the results, I am young with no ferlility issues whatsoever, but from the expected 12 eggs to be frozen, we only got 5. My actual doctor admitted it was very unusual. Unfortunately, the pain came back stronger a few weeks later. Basically, I was rushed to the ER from work - they said I had a cyst. Went home, still in pain for a week so I went to my actual doctor and he prescribed me medications. One more week of pain, I am rushed to the ER from my obgyn's office! She tells me this is bad and that I might lose my ovary. I got emergency surgery as the doctors at the hospital feared me losing my ovary due to an hemorraghic cyst. I was crushed. They said consent to have your ovary removed and I just felt numb at that point. When I woke up from surgery, my boyfriend tells me, you still have both your ovaries, instead I had been carrying a 6-week old infection that spread puss to my ovaries, uterus, abdomen, colon/rectum. You can imagine how I felt, emotionally and physically, all this pain.
Infections are extremely rare and this was a very bad one. Because of all of this, my fallopian tubes are scared and I will probably need IVF to conceive as is will not happen spontaneously. I was just freezing my eggs as an option because of my heart and fibroid history. Basically, I have reduced my options when I thought I was being smart. And I wonder if this is what killed half of my eggs at retrieval. When I found this site and saw his reviews, I cried, I knew I had been screwed by this doctor.
I had to be out recovering for about 3 months, not working. Ended up having to move upstate due to my precarious situation. My living condition is good but very stressful. I got the flu and to top it all, my second heart attack now. I will stop here but you get the point, my entire life has been hanged for the worst.
I am thankful to this site and the other reviewers for sharing their story.
I am not one to leave a review ever but I felt like a responsibility for anyone debating Dr. G’s care. With such a low review rate, I wonder why he’s even practicing and those hiring him to still be out there are to do their due diligence and be responsible.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Save yourself a bad ending. In my opinion, he should not be practicing and not hired as a per diem. You would think he is qualified and that you should trust him. I fell victim of an unprepared doctor with overwhelmingly bad reviews. Perhaps he has a calling in another field but not fertility.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
He clearly had not looked at my file before he came in to perform surgery on me. My medical history is complex so it was obvious, he was scrolling through his stack of papers. He had to continuously leave the room to search for more information on the computer.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. Guarnaccia was the per diem performing my retrieval, the most crucial part of the process. He was not part of that process. I was unaware he would perform the surgery on me. 12 eggs were retrieve and only 5 were frozen. All I know is that this was an unexpected result and that I got infected under his care. Also, had extra anti-coagulant shots to take during the hormone treatment because of my blood disorder.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Jordana)
I do not have any grievances with the nurses, they were all very nice, so was my care coordinator. Actually, the time I came in a week after my first ER visit, 2 of the nurses asked me if I needed help getting dressed. That is how bad my infection was, they felt sorry for me. I am fair and would rate them fairly, according to my experience.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
The clinic did not inform me that on Sabbath day my doctor will not show and that instead I would get a low-rated 'fertility' doctor. That is unacceptable. I should have had the heads up to make a sound decision, instead of feeling pressed 10 mins before surgery in my hospital gown.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
8,500 total
What specific things went wrong at Extend Fertility?
Failed to call with results
Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Extend Fertility.
They failed to inform me that the doctor that I worked with for 6 months to freeze my eggs was not going to actually going to do the procedure! A per diem was going to take on my complex case. That was not what I signed up for.
I paid this hard-earned money with no help from a loan or an insurance, that is the least I could have expected.
...I was in tears and Dr. Guarnaccia so happened to be in the office that Saturday, and purposely went out of his way to find me to calm me down and explain that we are not robots--we are human beings and one regimen of shots that works for one patient does not necessarily work for another. He strongly urged me not to give up and encouraged me to do another cycle for the egg freezing and advised that we would do a different regiment of shots. I appreciated his feedback and ultimately agreed, and while that cycle did not get as many eggs as hoped, we did get through the whole cycle and froze six eggs. I was advised to do another cycle
The only real weakness [at Columbia Fertility] is that for the check-ins with the bloodwork/ultrasounds you are not likely to see your physician, which isn't preferable as I would have liked my physician to be the one doing the ultrasound check-ins...The monitoring timeframe was always set very early in the morning, which was convenient given my work schedule...Dr. Guarnaccia is a straight-shooter and will not beat around the bush. If you're looking for someone to sugarcoat it, he's not the one. He is diligent and will ask questions of you--and welcomes questions from you as well.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Dr. Guarnaccia is an excellent, thoughtful and sensitive physician. When I started my first cycle for the egg freezing, when I came in on day 6 for my first ultrasound with the doctor on call to see whether the follicles were maturing, the results were negative - and I was instructed by that doctor to stop the fertility shots. I was in tears and Dr. Guarnaccia so happened to be in the office that Saturday, and purposely went out of his way to find me to calm me down and explain that we are not robots--we are human beings and one regimen of shots that works for one patient does not necessarily work for another. He strongly urged me not to give up and encouraged me to do another cycle for the egg freezing and advised that we would do a different regiment of shots. I appreciated his feedback and ultimately agreed, and while that cycle did not get as many eggs as hoped, we did get through the whole cycle and froze six eggs. I was advised to do another cycle to maximize the number of eggs but my finances (and well-being) decided against it for the time being.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Dr. Guarnaccia is a straight-shooter and will not beat around the bush. If you're looking for someone to sugarcoat it, he's not the one. He is diligent and will ask questions of you--and welcomes questions from you as well.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Dr. Guarnaccia is an excellent, thoughtful and sensitive physician. When I started my first cycle for the egg freezing, when I came in on day 6 for my first ultrasound with the doctor on call to see whether the follicles were maturing, the results were negative - and I was instructed by that doctor to stop the fertility shots. I was in tears and Dr. Guarnaccia so happened to be in the office that Saturday, and purposely went out of his way to find me to calm me down and explain that we are not robots--we are human beings and one regimen of shots that works for one patient does not necessarily work for another. He strongly urged me not to give up and encouraged me to do another cycle for the egg freezing and advised that we would do a different regiment of shots. I appreciated his feedback and ultimately agreed, and while that cycle did not get as many eggs as hoped, we did get through the whole cycle and froze six eggs. I was advised to do another cycle to maximize the number of eggs but my finances (and well-being) decided against it for the time being.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
Very friendly and dedicated, hard workers.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The only real weakness is that for the check-ins with the bloodwork/ultrasounds you are not likely to see your physician, which isn't preferable as I would have liked my physician to be the one doing the ultrasound check-ins.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Columbia University.
The monitoring timeframe was always set very early in the morning, which was convenient given my work schedule.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University.
Everything involving egg freezing.
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Failed to call with results
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
I had to call the clinic to get information on how many eggs were ultimately retrieved/frozen, as they did not call me as advised on the day of the retrieval.
We were matched with him [Dr. Guarnaccia] by the Center because we were diagnosed with secondary infertility and the person scheduling appointments at that time said she thought that he would be a good match. He barely looked us in the eye when he spoke with us. We tried to see other doctors in the practice as much as possible because we really did not think Dr. Guarnaccia had our best interests in mind when recommending treatment options - but was rather just concerned with stats of the Center.
The hours and processes at CWRC [Columbia Fertility] are ideal to accommodate women who need early appointments before work. Location is convenient and the scheduling and billing staff is knowledgeable and efficient. One of the unfortunate side effects is that it felt like a factory at times with little concern for the patients as people as opposed to potential statistics. Most doctors we encountered in our almost 2 years as patients at CWRC were lovely and genuine.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Dr. Guarnaccia was more concerned with maintaining the center's statistics then relating to us as human beings. He was cavalier and made light of what was a very serious issue to us. He made us feel as if he were doing us a favor gracing us with his presence. We were matched with him by the Center because we were diagnosed with secondary infertility and the person scheduling appointments at that time said she thought that he would be a good match. He barely looked us in the eye when he spoke with us. We tried to see other doctors in the practice as much as possible because we really did not think Dr. Guarnaccia had our best interests in mind when recommending treatment options - but was rather just concerned with stats of the Center.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
He has the type of personality where he thinks he is god's gift to those around him. Don't expect any genuine warmth or caring.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
He Explained his assessment of our infertility issues with his feet up on the desk and an iced coffee in his hand. He was cavalier and generally did not seem to care beyond the center's statistics.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
It was routine. Fertility drugs, IUI then IVF. Not personalized but rather their standard protocol.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
Efficiency.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
The hours and processes at CWRC are ideal to accommodate women who need early appointments before work. Location is convenient and the scheduling and billing staff is knowledgable and efficient. One of the unfortunate side effects is that it felt like a factory at times with little concern for the patients as people as opposed to potential statistics. Most doctors we encountered in our almost 2 years as patients at CWRC were lovely and genuine. On the other side of the coin were doctors like Dr. Guarnaccia, who was cavalier, did not take into consideration our thoughts on treatment and made us feel like he was doing us a favor. The Center lacked a human touch, but ultimately we would have done virtually anything to conceive. We gave up after emotionally exhausting rounds of fertility drugs, IUIs and IVF and conceived naturally 12 months later. The CWRC would be well served to make the process less stressful for patients by injecting a dose of compassion.
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Canceled a cycle due to clinic error
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
We had done their max recommended number of drug cycles and were moving on to IUI but they did not call in the typescript ions we needed and so we missed an IUI cycle.
Dr. Guarnaccia was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend him absolutely as for REI services including egg freezing, which is what I had with him. I appreciated both his candor and his efficiency - working with him as my doctor was all I could ask for during the process...He is very quick - prepare any questions you might have beforehand..
all-in each cycle [at Extend Fertilty] was about $10k...I worked with a lot of nurses, so it is hard to comment on someone specifically. However, they were all very kind and helpful during my egg freezing process...I liked the clinic - it was easy to go in and out of frequently. I was slightly confused on day of procedure because the ORs are on a different floor, but that is minor. I did end up having my egg retrieval conducted by a different physician the second cycle, but it was not an issue. I liked how they were very capable of answering all my questions (and I have a lot!).
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend him absolutely as for REI services including egg freezing, which is what I had with him. I appreciated both his candor and his efficiency - working with him as my doctor was all I could ask for during the process.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
He is very quick - prepare any questions you might have beforehand
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Very kind and thoughtful as well as knowledgable
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
I had egg freezing done with an HCG trigger shot.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
I worked with a lot of nurses, so it is hard to comment on someone specifically. However, they were all very kind and helpful during my egg freezing process.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I liked the clinic - it was easy to go in and out of frequently. I was slightly confused on day of procedure because the ORs are on a different floor, but that is minor. I did end up having my egg retrieval conducted by a different physician the second cycle, but it was not an issue. I liked how they were very capable of answering all my questions (and I have a lot!).
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
It seemed to be a fairly well-run process with my coming in and waiting a max of 15-20 min, mostly less, and getting in and out of the clinic rooms fairly quickly. I think it was also helpful that I went during the summer - less clothing to take on and off!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
I can't recall, but all-in each cycle was about $10k
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
He [Dr Guarnaccia] comes off as very arrogant and aloof. When asking me questions about past experiences he scoffed at what I had tried to do to get pregnant like he was a miracle worker....From the moment you walk in it looks and feels like a factory. With each visit you don't know who will be your doctor and when Dr G was the doctor he treated me like he had never seen me before.
From the moment you walk in it [Columbia University's fertility clinic] looks and feels like a factory. With each visit you don't know who will be your doctor and when Dr G was the doctor he treated me like he had never seen me before....During my 1st IUI i was told by the nurse to wait on the 4th floor for my husband to finish. When I got to the 4th floor, a nurse yelled at me and told me I couldn't be down there. She argued with me when I tried to tell her that the nurse told me to wait there. She ended up being my nurse for that IUI. The waiting room plays HgTv on a loop, its always packed and the bathroom looks dirty and never had soap!
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
He comes off as very arrogant and aloof. When asking me questions about past experiences he scoffed at what I had tried to do to get pregnant like he was a miracle worker.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Don't go to Columbia. Period!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
From the moment you walk in it looks and feels like a factory. With each visit you don't know who will be your doctor and when Dr G was the doctor he treated me like he had never seen me before.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Columbia University and their degree of success.
IUI with Clomid 50mg and a trigger shot (Ovidrel 250mg). That was done twice and after the 2nd unsuccessful IUI i never heard a word from Columbia. No one told me how bad I would feel during and after taking Clomid. I thought I was losing my mind.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Columbia University.
Again I was there sometimes twice a week. The nursing staff isn't large. I was constantly telling them how to pronounce my name and I really don't want to see yawns and food on scrubs while i'm having my blood drawn.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
During my 1st IUI i was told by the nurse to wait on the 4th floor for my husband to finish. When I got to the 4th floor, a nurse yelled at me and told me I couldn't be down there. She argued with me when I tried to tell her that the nurse told me to wait there. She ended up being my nurse for that IUI.
The waiting room plays HgTv on a loop, its always packed and the bathroom looks dirty and never had soap!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University.
He [Dr Guarnaccia] rushed me the initial conversations and seemed frustrated when I asked him questions. He seemed very frustrated when I mentioned I went to another doctor to consult about my fibroid issues, despite the fact that he doesn't treat fibroids. I got the sense that he wanted to rush into this very expensive egg freezing process for his benefit only.
In my first ultra sound they discovered fibroids and recommended a different type of ultra sound. It took me three weeks to get the approval and appointment scheduled. The nurses had different information and it turned out I didn't need approval and could have gone immediately....Katrina was very thorough, however there is a disconnect between the treatment costs that she gave me and the costs that the billing department provided. She was completely unaware of the "package" that Columbia has been advertising.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
He has 20+ years of experience, but for such a sensitive topic, he really had no empathy. I felt like I was being reprimanded during one of my visits.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
Ask a lot of questions, probably try to see other doctors in his center.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University?
He rushed me the initial conversations and seemed frustrated when I asked him questions. He seemed very frustrated when I mentioned I went to another doctor to consult about my fibroid issues, despite the fact that he doesn't treat fibroids. I got the sense that he wanted to rush into this very expensive egg freezing process for his benefit only.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Columbia University. (Assigned nurse: Katrina Leong)
Katrina was very thorough, however there is a disconnect between the treatment costs that she gave me and the costs that the billing department provided. She was completely unaware of the "package" that Columbia has been advertising.
Describe your experience with Columbia University.
Long waits and disorganized, never answers the phone. They will call you back when you leave messages, but the communication feels more like a free clinic than an established facility. The lobby is clean, but the actual exam rooms and offices are old.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Columbia University.
$17,000
What specific things went wrong at Columbia University?
Provided conflicting information
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Columbia University.
In my first ultra sound they discovered fibroids and recommended a different type of ultra sound. It took me three weeks to get the approval and appointment scheduled. The nurses had different information and it turned out I didn't need approval and could have gone immediately.
Dr. G set realistic expectations so that I could plan accordingly. He told me I would get 7-14 eggs per cycle, so I knew going in that I would require two cycles. I ended up getting results that were better than expected, but I appreciated that he was straightforward. I also appreciated that he never tried to sell me egg freezing as a guarantee or insurance.
I chose Extend not only because it is less expensive than other clinics in Manhattan but also because it has a state-of-the-art lab. Thaw survival rate and embryo conversion rate are all very important for the process down the road. I hope others do their due diligence before choosing a clinic...I paid around $10,000 for both cycles minus the cost of medications.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G set realistic expectations so that I could plan accordingly. He told me I would get 7-14 eggs per cycle, so I knew going in that I would require two cycles. I ended up getting results that were better than expected, but I appreciated that he was straightforward. I also appreciated that he never tried to sell me egg freezing as a guarantee or insurance.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G is certainly respectful, but I wouldn't describe him as "warm." I personally don't expect or seek emotional support from my doctor, but he might not be the best fit for someone who needs a lot of handholding.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was honest and responsive.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I chose Extend not only because it is less expensive than other clinics in Manhattan but also because it has a state-of-the-art lab. Thaw survival rate and embryo conversion rate are all very important for the process down the road. I hope others do their due diligence before choosing a clinic.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
I paid around $10,000 for both cycles minus the cost of medications.
[Dr. Michael Guarnaccia] clearly explained everything...made me feel comfortable about asking questions...kind and warm bedside manner...saw me every visit....very approachable and made me feel a lot less nervous about this process...on an antagonist protocol...never made me feel dumb for asking a question
loved the medical team [at Oma Fertility New York]...could text her anything I needed and she always responded promptly...sweet, compassionate, and always had time for me...was frustrated with the clinic's pricing...Oma Fertility but then they went bankrupt and were bought by Pinnacle Fertility
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He clearly explained everything and made me feel comfortable about asking questions. He has a very kind and warm bedside manner. He saw me every visit. He felt very approachable and made me feel a lot less nervous about this process. I would highly recommend him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He really will take the time to answer all of your questions so don't feel afraid to ask! He never made me feel like he didn't have time for me or that my questions were stupid.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
He was very kind, took time to explain everything, and never made me feel dumb for asking a question.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)) and their degree of success.
I was on an antagonist protocol.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)). (Assigned nurse: Dana)
I could text her anything I needed and she always responded promptly. She was sweet, compassionate, and always had time for me. I felt so taken care of by her and I greatly appreciated it. She also helped me with tips to save money and apply for discount programs. Would highly recommend!
Describe your experience with Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
I absolutely loved the medical team, however, I was frustrated with the clinic's pricing. Originally when I went to see them, they were Oma Fertility but then they went bankrupt and were bought by Pinnacle Fertility. I was fortunate that Pinnacle honored the money I had paid to Oma for a cycle of egg retrieval, but I was frustrated because Pinnacle changed the pricing and this was not explained to me when I was told Pinnacle was taking over. This created a lack of transparency and made me frustrated because what I had budgeted was no longer accurate.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
Well originally it was supposed to be $3,500 for a cycle of egg freezing but then they changed it to $6,000.
What specific things went wrong at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic))?
Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Provided conflicting information
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Pinnacle Fertility - New York (Pinnacle Network clinic)).
They changed the pricing and what I was promised for my initial payment and didn't make this clear when they told me they were switching ownership from Oma to Pinnacle.
Dr. G was available to answer all of my questions and anytime I needed to see/talk to him. He can be blunt/direct but that's because he is busy (the clinic was always busy every time I went in for my monitoring)...I did a zoom call before I started with Extend, saw him 2-3 times during monitoring, and he performed the surgery. I felt that was adequate "facetime" with my doctor and enough time for me to ask any questions I had
[Extend Fertility approx cost] 5500 egg retrieval after a $1000 discount, $2500-$3000 meds (but I qualified for a 50% discount through a fertility program so it actually came down to $1500), $600 yearly storage...I think the fertility advisor (the person who is your first contact to "sell" you the clinic) could have been more available to explain things in detail. She sent me a lot of information and attachments over email but didn't adequately explain everything over the phone, leaving me to research/understand on my own.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was available to answer all of my questions and anytime I needed to see/talk to him. He can be blunt/direct but that's because he is busy (the clinic was always busy every time I went in for my monitoring).
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Be prepared to ask all your questions when you see him since all the doctors are busy. I did a zoom call before I started with Extend, saw him 2-3 times during monitoring, and he performed the surgery. I felt that was adequate "facetime" with my doctor and enough time for me to ask any questions I had.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Unlike some of the reviews I read here, I felt Dr. G was very friendly and available throughout the egg retrieval process.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Egg freezing.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Lindsay S)
My nurse was Lindsay, she was very caring and kind. She sat down with me prior to and after egg retrieval surgery to explain everything. I felt she was very organized, communicative, and empathetic.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I think the fertility advisor (the person who is your first contact to "sell" you the clinic) could have been more available to explain things in detail. She sent me a lot of information and attachments over email but didn't adequately explain everything over the phone, leaving me to research/understand on my own.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
5500 egg retrieval after a $1000 discount, $2500-$3000 meds (but I qualified for a 50% discount through a fertility program so it actually came down to $1500), $600 yearly storage
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.
Dr G [Guarnaccia] is an extremely effective communicator who errs on the side caution when it comes to patient health, comfort and care. You're in good hands with Dr.G! He's extremely informed and patient and seems quite up-to-date in his field, he exceeded my expectations in every way...extremely warm and sweet...
The nursing staff [at Extend Fertility] needs work. Protocols were not explained adequately and getting written instructions was a problem. The insistence upon using the app was not pleasing to me. One nurse however was extraordinary >>> VALERIE. Her instructions and calls were thorough...the office staff are very lovely as are the girls who draw blood and perform ultrasounds. I always felt comfortable with them and i appreciate their kind demeanor.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr G is an extremely effective communicator who errs on the side caution when it comes to patient health, comfort and care. You're in good hands with Dr.G! He's extremely informed and patient and seems quite up-to-date in his field, he exceeded my expectations in every way.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Book him!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr G is extremely warm and sweet
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
The nursing staff needs work. Protocols were not explained adequately and getting written instructions was a problem. The insistence upon using the app was not pleasing to me. One nurse however was extraordinary >>> VALERIE. Her instructions and calls were thorough. Thank you Valerie.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I would recommend Extend strongly due to the Excellent staff, the office staff are very lovely as are the girls who draw blood and perform ultrasounds. I always felt comfortable with them and i appreciate their kind demeanor.
The doctor [Dr. Michael Guarnaccia] listened to my concerns regarding a prior existing health situation and kept good contact with me and my many follow-up questions. When the pandemic hit, altering plans, he called me personally to discuss options...I have a complex medical history and felt like I was carefully listened to...
Extend Fertility has set pricing, which appears on their website. There are no hidden fees. Egg freezing is $6,500 plus the cost of meds and storage...I did a lot of shopping around for the right clinic, and the transparency of Extend Fertility couldn't be beat. I felt more confident moving forward knowing there were no stones left unturned. Their response rate is 100% and very fast.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
The doctor listened to my concerns regarding a prior existing health situation and kept good contact with me and my many follow-up questions. When the pandemic hit, altering plans, he called me personally to discuss options.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia and his staff are committed to making the process transparent.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I have a complex medical history and felt like I was carefully listened to.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
We are hoping to start my cycle later this month, as my fertility preservation has been deemed medically necessary.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
I had many questions and they were all answered promptly.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I did a lot of shopping around for the right clinic, and the transparency of Extend Fertility couldn't be beat. I felt more confident moving forward knowing there were no stones left unturned. Their response rate is 100% and very fast.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
Extend Fertility has set pricing, which appears on their website. There are no hidden fees. Egg freezing is $6,500 plus the cost of meds and storage.
Dr. Guarnaccia took the time to explain the process to me every step of the way. He thoughtfully answered my questions throughout my stimulation and made sure I understood exactly why he made the decisions that he did regarding my dosage...is extremely knowledgable and kind. I felt like he really understood and cared how I felt throughout the process and he took the time to answer every question big or small. I would (and have!) recommend Dr. G to friends.
Although Dr. G[uarnaccia] was my main doctor, I did also meet Dr. Klein and Dr. Maslow through an egg freezing 101. I found them all to be equally knowledgable and passionate about helping their patients. The staff at Extend is thoughtful and very helpful. They make this process simple and even enjoyable...My starting protocol was 225iu of Follistim and 2 vials of Menopur with a Lupron trigger...
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G is extremely knowledgable and kind. I felt like he really understood and cared how I felt throughout the process and he took the time to answer every question big or small. I would (and have!) recommend Dr. G to friends.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia took the time to explain the process to me every step of the way. He thoughtfully answered my questions throughout my stimulation and made sure I understood exactly why he made the decisions that he did regarding my dosage.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
My starting protocol was 225iu of Follistim and 2 vials of Menopur with a Lupron trigger.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Although Dr. G was my main doctor, I did also meet Dr. Klein and Dr. Maslow through an egg freezing 101. I found them all to be equally knowledgable and passionate about helping their patients. The staff at Extend is thoughtful and very helpful. They make this process simple and even enjoyable.
Dr. G was professional, kind, knowledgeable, and very action-oriented. I left every appointment feeling confident in our plans and next steps. When he realized that I may need extra monitoring, he made sure that he was doing the ultrasounds so that he could have the most accurate data (since numbers may be different depending on who is doing the ultrasound). I found that to be so comforting.
Extend was incredible. Everyone was so professional as well as compassionate, which is so important during a time like this. The facilities were clean and they didn't feel like a doctor's office, which is always a plus for me. I was also seen on time always and was in and out which was great. The staff was always available to answer my questions.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was professional, kind, knowledgeable, and very action-oriented. I left every appointment feeling confident in our plans and next steps. When he realized that I may need extra monitoring, he made sure that he was doing the ultrasounds so that he could have the most accurate data (since numbers may be different depending on who is doing the ultrasound). I found that to be so comforting.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Use him - you won't regret it!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G was incredible every step of the way. I was recommended to him by my CEO and I went for a consult before I was ready to do egg freezing. He gave me such valuable information and I immediately felt comfortable with him. When I was ready to pursue egg freezing I decided to shop around a bit and I had a horrible experience. Dr. G got on the phone with me for 30 minutes and explained how my other experience was likely not accurate and gave me actionable next steps and assured me we were going to figure this out.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. G started me on a higher dosage of hormones because my AMH was low. We realized that my body was responding well to the hormones and in fact, my hormone levels were going up quicker than the eggs were maturing. Because of that, I had to go in for more visits than expected and he changed the course of my treatment a bit.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Extend was incredible. Everyone was so professional as well as compassionate, which is so important during a time like this. The facilities were clean and they didn't feel like a doctor's office, which is always a plus for me. I was also seen on time always and was in and out which was great. The staff was always available to answer my questions.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
Quick and organized.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
I was covered by insurance so I paid about $400 in copays for the medication.
Dr. Guarnaccia met with me for my initial consultation after my AMH testing and explained my potential for egg retrieval, while carefully managing expectations due to the fact that not all factors can be controlled. He told me what drug protocol I would be using and tweaked it towards the end of my cycle (lowering it a bit), which was clearly the right decision because I was very happy with the outcome.
I was initially concerned about working full time and going into the [Extend Fertility] clinic every other day (and every day towards the end), assuming it was going to be a timely process. Extend Fertility did a great job of getting me in and out in under a half hour, and called me promptly after my visits to give me my drug protocol. All the nurses I dealt with for bloodwork and ultrasounds were friendly and easy to talk to which really helped.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia met with me for my initial consultation after my AMH testing and explained my potential for egg retrieval, while carefully managing expectations due to the fact that not all factors can be controlled. He told me what drug protocol I would be using and tweaked it towards the end of my cycle (lowering it a bit), which was clearly the right decision because I was very happy with the outcome.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I did a lot of my own research and knew what to expect, so I didn’t have to ask many questions. I’d say that you should take advantage of your initial consultation with him and come prepared with questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. Guarnaccia carefully explained my AMH results and gave me an idea of what I could expect if I pursued egg freezing. He was really warm and friendly during our initial meeting, and didn’t rush me at all.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
Dr. Guarnaccia told me that my AMH level showed I had PCOS, and he put me on the lowest drug protocol. Towards the end of my cycle, I was told to skip my menopur injection, which was the right move— if my estrogen was any higher, I’d probably develop Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Chelsea)
My fertility advisor, Chelsea, told me to email her with any questions I had after we met and she walked me through the process. I emailed her on and off for months, until I actually started my egg retrieval. She always emailed me back the same day and was very helpful.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I was initially concerned about working full time and going into the clinic every other day (and every day towards the end), assuming it was going to be a timely process. Extend Fertility did a great job of getting me in and out in under a half hour, and called me promptly after my visits to give me my drug protocol. All the nurses I dealt with for bloodwork and ultrasounds were friendly and easy to talk to which really helped.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
I was able to request times within their monitoring window that suited my commute from south Brooklyn. I don’t think I ever waited longer than 5-7 minutes to be seen each time, and after my bloodwork was done, my ultrasounds followed quickly. I was generally in and out each time in under a half hour.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
I paid $6500 for the egg retrieval and approximately $2500 for the medications.
He [Dr. Guarnaccia] came across as highly professional, competent and trustworthy, as well as warm and personable...Dr G and I only spent limited time together in person – I spent the majority of time with the clinical team (nurses, patient care advocates etc) and Dr Maslow ended up performing my surgery because that's who was available on the day of my retrieval...
The patient care team and nurses are the heart and soul of Extend. They made it a dream experience, were SO warm and personable from day 1, and showed so much care for me. I spent much more time with them than I did with my doctors and was quick to jump into a second cycle based on the experience I had...I just wish they had more locations or an office downtown...
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I always felt I was in safe hands with Dr Guarnaccia. On the occasions where we met, he gave me plenty of time to ask questions and I never felt rushed. He came across as highly professional, competent and trustworthy, as well as warm and personable. I'm pleased with the results I saw with him on my first round of egg freezing and will be going to him again for my second round.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
As with any doctor, do some reading in advance and have a list of questions prepared. Make the most of valuable in-person time with the doctor. That being said, on the occasions where I had ad hoc questions (e.g. checking whether a new non-fertility-related medication was safe for me to use in conjunction with my egg freezing treatment), Dr Guarnaccia was highly responsive and came back via the clinical team very promptly and professionally.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
My case was fairly uncomplicated, as a 31-year-old with no fertility problems. As such, Dr G and I only spent limited time together in person – I spent the majority of time with the clinical team (nurses, patient care advocates etc) and Dr Maslow ended up performing my surgery because that's who was available on the day of my retrieval.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
On my first egg freezing round, I believe my protocol was 225 Follistim and 1 vial of Menopur per day. We bumped it up to 2 vials of Menopur per day after about day 4 and then included Certrotide towards the end of the cycle. For my second egg freezing round, we are going to be slightly less conservative and do 2 vials of Menopur per day, likely stepping up to 3 vials at some point.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Extend Fertility. (Assigned nurse: Kezia)
The patient care team and nurses are the heart and soul of Extend. They made it a dream experience, were SO warm and personable from day 1, and showed so much care for me. I spent much more time with them than I did with my doctors and was quick to jump into a second cycle based on the experience I had.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
Strengths - competitive pricing, friendly with my insurance, amazing care & clinical team, will take the time to answer your questions no matter how many there are
Weaknesses - I just wish they had more locations or an office downtown. Their location on 57th St was a slog from East Brooklyn for 5-7 visits
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
Round 1 - 6500K, Round 2 - 5500K. Medication was an additional 3K on top each time, although I have great insurance that covered 90% of everything
I had a great experience with Dr. G. I appreciated that he always took the time to explain everything thoroughly, but that he was also willing to listen to my concerns...Dr. G made an adjustment to my meds based on my response and I had much better results in the cycles that followed...warm bedside manner, when I was going through a difficult time alone.
I enjoyed a lot about my experience at Extend. The facility is clean, the wait time is minimal...staff is very friendly...staff remembered me and wished me luck before each procedure. The patient portal is often updated the same or next day, but if you're very impatient (like I am!), be sure to ask your ultrasound tech and nurses when they call for specifics on things like follicle count and estradiol level.
How was your experience with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
I had a great experience with Dr. G. I appreciated that he always took the time to explain everything thoroughly, but that he was also willing to listen to my concerns and make adjustments when necessary.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, especially if this is your first time going through the process. Also your first cycle may not yield the results you hoped for, but in my case Dr. G made an adjustment to my meds based on my response and I had much better results in the cycles that followed.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility?
Dr. G always took the time to answer my questions and make sure I felt comfortable and informed. I appreciated his warm bedside manner, when I was going through a difficult time alone.
Describe the protocols Michael Guarnaccia used in your cycles at Extend Fertility and their degree of success.
In my first two cycles, I started with an estrogen patch. In my first cycle, I did 375 units of follistim and 150 iu of menopur before switching to 450 units of follistim and 150 iu of menopur after the second monitoring appointment. I injected for 10 days but the cycle got canceled due to poor response. After that, I did a microdose lupron protocol with 10 units of microdose lupron in the morning and evening, 450 units of follistim in the morning, and 150 iu of menopur in the evening. The second cycle, 3 eggs were retrieved and frozen. I did the next two cycles back-to-back without doing the estrogen patch. The third cycle, I retrieved 11 eggs and froze 9. The fourth cycle, I retrieved 13 eggs and froze 8.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Extend Fertility.
The nursing staff was wonderful. They took the time to answer all my questions, and were there to talk me through any potential concerns.
Describe your experience with Extend Fertility.
I enjoyed a lot about my experience at Extend. The facility is clean, the wait time is minimal (I was often in and out in ten minutes), and the staff is very friendly. I did four cycles, and the staff remembered me and wished me luck before each procedure. The patient portal is often updated the same or next day, but if you're very impatient (like I am!), be sure to ask your ultrasound tech and nurses when they call for specifics on things like follicle count and estradiol level.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Extend Fertility.
I had a great experience with my monitoring appointments. I was in an and out quickly, but I never felt like just another numbers. The staff was very friendly. Ana is especially wonderful!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Guarnaccia at Extend Fertility.
I believe the cost of four cycles was around $20,000 with the medicine being an additional $20,000.
Describe Michael Guarnaccia's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Extend Fertility.