Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

So finally tomorrow DH and I will be visiting an RE after trying for close to two years naturally. We are both 30 and live a healthy life, I'm scare something could possibly be wrong with me (or him), and maybe be faced with some bad news.

My appointment is with Dr. Saketos, does anyone here have any experience with this group?

Also what should i expect in my first visit?
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So i went in yesterday, everyone was very nice, had blood work done, met with Dr. Saketos she took her time and answered all my questions and concerns.

Here is my real question:
She wants to put me on clomid next month (march) which i'm ok with, and also wants to do the tube test and thereafter start iui (all in the month of March).
I'm kind of torn and might be leaning toward just doing clomid for the whole month of march (no tube test or iui) and see what happens. If i have no luck in March i will proceed in April with iui. Any suggestions? FM me if you feel more comfortable.

Message edited 2/27/2015 9:49:54 AM.

Reproductive Specialists of NY

oh boy.. this question about this group on this site. I would say go back and read past posts. My opinion of this practice is not good.
Dr. S is nice but some people find her difficult to follow.

On your first visit, expect questions asked by a tech or RN, wt, ht history and a consult with the Dr.

FM if you have questions

Good luck

Message edited 2/25/2015 8:12:39 PM.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

Dr Saketos is nice. A little kooky. I ended up seeing her more than "my" doctor there because she was the only doctor in the office often at the times I was there.

Unrelated to that, I had a bad experience with the Mineola office and had to leave for a new practice. I hope you are happy there, though, and that your stay there is short and productive.

Reproductive Specialists of NY

Everyone is going to have a different opinion of this office so don't get scared- I was there for over year and half and ran out of there. Now bring at a different RE I realize how different each practice is. Do your research be your own advocate over there. It's so busy you are a number.

Reproductive Specialists of NY

I too ran out of there as fast as possible. You can definitely go back (not that far) and read some posts about this office. I advise you go for a second opinion elsewhere before you start any treatments with them.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

Oh boy where should I start..... I'm going to keep it real I switched to them after a hand full of failed IVF cycles at North Shore Human Reproduction and them not wanting to change my protocol.

I saw Dr Trivax whom I love(not a fan of Dr Saketos but only saw her once after I was preggo). I had success with them twice (DD in 2013 and currently almost 15 weeks pregnant(Friday). My issues are more with how the office is ran(front desk especially and a nurse or 2). For the most part my appointments worked out to where I would end up being checked out by Dr Trivax oppose to just the nurse. Even after graduating (when they release you to your OB) he told me I could still come in for sonograms since it was a 2 week gap between my last visit with them and my first with my OB. After issues with my Lovenox not being ordered (fairly new nurse not submitting it) and me running out he gave me his cell to bypass the nurses if I need anything. I also like Dr Stelling(some don't) .

It's like 2 great doctors just a clinic like feel office. Where as a lot of other practices are more intimate.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

I've had good and not so good experiences with them over the past 2 and a half years. The good has been the staff at the WI office- they are out of this world amazing. Can not say enough good things about them. The not so good is that I feel they take advantage of patients who do not have fertility coverage, and are quick to group you in a category of "fertility issues" and give everyone the same protocol. I do not get that individual attention that other have gotten at other clinics.

You can go back and read previous posts about them, and you'll get a mixed review. Those that have gotten pregnant by them are singing their praises, and those who have not, are voicing their experiences. It really comes down to how YOU feel about them. Go for your consultation, see how the practice is and how comfortable you are with the doctor. If they are quick to give you a plan without taking the necessary tests first (like an HSG or SA for your DH), then I would go elsewhere.

Good luck!!

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

ehh. Let's just say I'm happy I don't have to step foot in that office again... out of every doctor I met with there, the one you mention in particular was the one I liked the least. I liked Dr. Trivax though.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

Thanks for all the replies, i will give it a shot today and see how it goes. I will come back later with an update.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

Dr. Saketos was my RE, she was nice. Not a warm and fuzzy MD by any means, but I'm not the type who needs that. She sent for extra tests when something didn't look right in my bloodwork. I found that she was always running late, on the day I graduated from the RE I just saw the NP because I was already waiting for 2 hrs and had to go to work.

She didn't do any of my IUIs other REs did (I had the choice of waiting for her to finish what she was doing or another MD right away). I actually saw the other REs more than I saw her. At RS of NY you will see more than one MD depending on the day and time you are there.

After going to an RE a few times you will know if it is a right fit for you, if your gut says to change then do it!

Good Luck to you!

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

I used this practice - but didn't have a choice. I was told that I needed chemo and would have to freeze embryos within the next 2 weeks if I chose to do so. My doctors got me in to RSONY immediately (like sent me right over). I saw a few of the doctors in that 2 week span and all of them were extremely helpful & sensitive to my situation. The practice continually fit me in when it was best for me (worked around the million doctor appointments I had at the time) and they even donated meds to me (since I needed them that day).

The nurses were outstanding to my DH and I. It was a very stressful time in my life and they helped in any way they could while I was there. The financing department was even better. They understood that I was just thrown a cr@ppy hand in the matter of like 4 days so they worked out a great payment plan for me.

Recently I have been in contact with the office in order to ship embryos and they have been very helpful and quick to respond.

My situation may be different as I only went there for a brief 2 weeks to freeze embryos but I was comfortable and happy with the service they provided.

I never saw the doctor you are asking of though. I mainly went to the Stonybrook office (i think thats where it is) and only to the Mineola (i think) office for the egg retrieval.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

Not a fan by any means. You can Fm me if you would like to chat.

Reproductive Specialists of NY

I've been going to the Stony Brook office for 6 months and have nothing bad to say. I was having a very hard time getting in touch with their finance dept.

Message edited 2/26/2015 11:44:16 AM.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

I actually really liked working with Dr. Saketos. I know some people had issues with her but I always found her friendly and attentive. I felt like she really heard me and what I wanted versus just told me what to do. In the end I actually ended up getting pregnant on my own after taking a break so I can't really credit them for that, but they saw me throughout the process (both times) and she even hugged me when she found out. Best of luck to you! I hope you have a good experience with them too.

Re: Reproductive Specialists of NY

I see Dr. Trivax - he's very friendly and listens to what I have to say. I haven't had a problem, but I know that patients on here have had some really terrible experiences.

Go with your gut, be your own advocate and follow up.

I wish you all the luck in the world!!

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

Bump with update and questions on the top.

Thanks everyone.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

You've been trying for a full 2 years?
I'd do a lot this month.
But it is a personal choice & you have to be ok with the pace of things.

Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

At Liivf, they take your blood and schedule you for a tube test. After all those results come back, is when they put you on meds and either do timed intercourse or iui. Depends on your preference. But i wouldn't do anything until i know i'm good to go.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

Do what you feel is best. Dr. Saketos had me do clomid and try naturally the first cycle but we weren't trying as long as you and I knew my issue was PCOS (and not ovulating on my own). She probably suggested going right to IUI because you have been trying for 2 years. If you choose to try naturally this month I would suggest still getting the HSG done, if your tubes are blocked trying naturally or iui won't work.

It is a lot to take in, so if you feel you want to take clomid and try naturally in March then do it.

Message edited 2/27/2015 10:26:34 AM.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

I would absolutely still do the HSG. You absolutely want to make sure that you're not blocked. The more information you have, the better you'll be.

The rest is up to you. If you're going to do timed intercourse and take clomid, just remember that clomid can thinken your cervical mucus. Make sure you take some sort of decongestant (not a DM) to thin it out and make it more sperm friendly.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

I would make sure I did the HSG , I might do the clomid since it isn't that big of a deal and inexpensive and you may learn things by how you respond. I would hold off on the iui until after the HSG especially if you pay OOP or have a set amount of insurance towards infertility. If they find out the eggs can't get down the tubes then the iui is a waste.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

I guess every doctor there is different because Trivax never asked me to do the HSG, but I do think its a good idea especially if you are paying OOP for IUI's you at least want to know that your tubes are clear.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)

Message edited 2/27/2015 11:51:13 AM.

Re: Reproductive Specialists-UPDATE (need sugestions)