2018 - 2019, Successful
He [Dr. Samuel Pang] is very professional, but, at first, this comes off as rather standoffish...we made a couple jokes during our first visit, but he did not crack a smile once. He's not warm and fuzzy, but he is very smart and knows what he's doing. He is very thorough, allowed us plenty of time to ask every question we had, and answered all of them. I got pregnant after 6 cycles of TI with Letrozole and Ovidrel...If you're looking for someone "warm," he is not for you. He is not uncaring or unkind, just very professional, efficient, and to-the-point.
She [nurse at IVF New England] was very organized and always called me right back if she had maybe missed something on our first call. She or a member of her team always called me back in a timely manner if I'd left a message with a question or concern...The doctors are very knowledgeable...but I think they are lacking a bit in the compassion department. The nurses were all very kind, but there were multiple times I got off the phone with them and cried. Infertility is a long, rough road and I felt like I had minimal support throughout the process and the clinic didn't do much to aid in that department. You truly need to be your own advocate in this process. Do your research, fight for what you want, understand your test results, and know to push back when you need to.
How was your experience with Samuel Pang (retired) at IVF New England (closed)?
I saw him only twice, once for the initial consultation and then again to decide on our treatment plan. Dr. Pang is very knowledgeable and is well-known in the field. He is very professional, but, at first, this comes off as rather standoffish. My husband and I tend to be pretty laid back and joke around; we made a couple jokes during our first visit, but he did not crack a smile once. He's not warm and fuzzy, but he is very smart and knows what he's doing. He is very thorough, allowed us plenty of time to ask every question we had, and answered all of them. I got pregnant after 6 cycles of TI with Letrozole and Ovidrel.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Samuel Pang (retired) at IVF New England (closed)?
If you're looking for someone "warm," he is not for you. He is not uncaring or unkind, just very professional, efficient, and to-the-point.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Samuel Pang (retired) at IVF New England (closed)?
Dr. Pang, the nurses, and all the staff were kind and professional, but I did feel like a number. I feel like, especially at the Lexington and Waltham sites, everything was very quick and they'd get you in and out so they could see the next person. I achieved my goal of getting pregnant so, honestly, I didn't care, but, if you're looking for a more personal experience, look somewhere else - this operation is not much more than a baby factory.
Describe the protocols Samuel Pang (retired) used in your cycles at IVF New England (closed) and their degree of success.
I have PCOS with anovulation so my main issue is being able to ovulate. My initial treatment plan was 3-6 cycles of timed intercourse with Letrozole. I responded on the first cycle to the lowest dosage. I found out on the first cycle that I also have low progesterone so progesterone support was added that cycle and each cycle after. At the beginning of my second cycle, they found a cyst on my ovary so I had to do a "rest" cycle before resuming treatment. On the third cycle, the Ovidrel trigger shot was added as I did not seem to have a strong enough surge. On my seventh cycle, I became pregnant, did continue progesterone until 12 weeks.
Describe your experience with your nurse at IVF New England (closed). (Assigned nurse: Lisa)
My primary nurse Lisa was amazing. She was very kind and compassionate. She was very organized and always called me right back if she had maybe missed something on our first call. She or a member of her team always called me back in a timely manner if I'd left a message with a question or concern. A couple times when Lisa was out and someone was covering her, I had to really make sure they got everything right and didn't miss anything. Overall, the nursing team was great. In my opinion, these are the people you form connections with throughout this process, not the doctors.
Describe your experience with IVF New England (closed).
The doctors are very knowledgeable and, in most cases, they will get you where you want to be - with a baby - but I think they are lacking a bit in the compassion department. The nurses were all very kind, but there were multiple times I got off the phone with them and cried. Infertility is a long, rough road and I felt like I had minimal support throughout the process and the clinic didn't do much to aid in that department. You truly need to be your own advocate in this process. Do your research, fight for what you want, understand your test results, and know to push back when you need to.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Samuel Pang (retired) at IVF New England (closed).
My insurance plan covered a large portion of my expenses, but I did have copays for lab work and medications, ultrasounds went to my deductible, and the trigger shots and progesterone supplements were only covered at a special rate that got pretty pricey after multiple cycles. Had I gone further and needed to do IUI or IVF, my plan would have covered 6 cycles without medication. Out of pocket, I paid probably about $5000.
What specific things went wrong at IVF New England (closed)?
- Failed to order appropriate test
Describe the specific things that went wrong at IVF New England (closed).
There was one instance where my primary nurse was on vacation and I had to argue with the covering nurse to get my ultrasound scheduled for the correct date. In her defense, she was going by Boston IVF's standard protocols, but did not take the time to read my chart and realize mine was different. I informed her and she did schedule me correctly.