Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Hello ladies,

I understand quite a few of you are patients of Dr.Braverman, and I was hoping to learn more about your experience with him.

I've had 6IUIs, 5IVFs and 1FET, and no successful pregnancy so far. I do have known immune issues diagnosed by SIRM-NYC and Dr.Kwak-Kim in Chicago. We have a couple of blasts frozen, and I am hesitant to proceed with an FET until my immune system is under control.

I requested a free 10-min phone consult with Dr.B, just for a quick 2nd opinion on what other immune treatments I should try before proceeding with the FET, and filled out the patient questionnaire online. He called me the next day, saying that he reviewed my record and he thinks he can help me, I just need to have tons of additional testing done, and become his patient.

He asked me who my RE was,, and when I meantioned SIRM, he flat out said that there is no cooperation with SIRM, I would have to transfer my enbryos to him and be monitored by him, which makes it for a logistical nightmare, as I live in western Nassau and commute to downtown Manhattan daily, and being late is not an option since I just started a new job.

I would love to be treated by him for immune issues but stay with SIRM for monitoring/FET procedures. My SIRM RE (Wang, love him!) is amazing, and totally open to Dr.B's recommendations (he already supports me with Dr. KK protocols).

Has anyone been successful in having Dr.B cooperate with your local RE (I know he has no choice but to cooperate with REs for his long-distance patients) and only provide immune treatment for the cycling?
Is this a matter of his history with SIRM, or in general all local patients have to cycle with his office?

Thanks a lot, ladies -- I would love to hear your insights on this!

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

I don't believe he does. However, he is worth it. He does work with DR, Kofinas who you might actually want to talk to. I saw Kofinas before Braverman but went through my FET with Braver. He actually has aGramercy Office too.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

do they do monitoring in the Gramercy office, at all? if so, how bad are the waiting times there for the bw/us?

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Yes, I had a surrogate who lived out of state and he worked with the fertility center local to her.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Braverman was part of SIRM years ago when they had a Long Island practice and left so maybe that's why he is not able to work with them. Maybe some sort of legal agreement? I know he works with many Drs.
I know Dr. T had no issues working with him when I asked.

Message edited 7/9/2014 6:29:29 PM.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

PennyCat -- yes, he has no choice but to work with REs for long-distance patients.

Lillies -- dr.Wang would have no issues working with Dr.B either, i think it's Dr.B's preference. If someone can tell me that Dr.B works with a NY-based RE, that would be super helpful to convince him to work with Dr.W at SIRM

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Thanks, Babyfever!
I absolutely love Dr.Wang, hence don't wanna move to Dr.B for cycling, just for immune treatment. I am yet to do additional testing for Dr.B and get a treatment plan. Once I see what he proposes, I will bring up cycling with Dr.Wang and being treated for immune issues by Dr.B, and then decide.
If I find a single NY patient who kept her own RE while Dr.B only the immune part, I would be able to have a discussion with Dr.B

Message edited 7/10/2014 11:13:36 AM.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Im actually really surprised at this.

If the Doctors at SIRM are willing to work with Dr. B; which they have in the past, why does Dr. B have a problem now working with them?

Odd..........

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

HP -- totally odd, although might make sense considering the history -- Dr.B used to be part of SIRM LI, and there was some beef between Dr.B and Dr.Sher (who runs SIRM), so t his might be ego talking? Apologies if this might hurt anyone's feelings, just something I've heard from other patients.

Dr.B claims that this is a serious matter and better be handled by one doctor to avoid too many cooks in the kitchen and get a faster action. However, I have been the one cpoordinating all the treatments, tests, scripts, etc. between SIRM and KK in Chicago, and don't mind keep doing the same with Dr.B in the mix. As a matter of fact, I can get a very quick response from Dr.Wang at SIRM, hence I don't want to switch for the FET.

SO if anyone knows someone in NY who has an RE and works with Dr.B for immune treatment only, please share -- i cannot tell whether this is the office policy or just an ego thing :)

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

I thought Dr T at SIRM deals with Immune issues.

I personally am not a fan of Dr B and would find anyone in the world to treat me before him.

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Alli -
I am already with SIRM and KK, and my immune treatments include ILs, IVIG, prednisone, Humira, Lovenox, pepcid/benadryl, and even experimenting with neupogen -- nada. So before I throw in the towel and move to other options like surrogacy abroad, I want to have all bases covered, even if it means dealing with Dr.B.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

KMCGK -- agreed! I understand there is addl testing involved with Dr.B, and if there is something we are not aware of (although we tested the standard immune stuff), i want to know.
we have 3 blasts frozen, and i want to make sure i tried it all (i.e. regret mgmt) before we move to surrogacy abroad.
as for conflict of interest, I would like to stay with SIRM for procedures, and then see what I hear from KK and B, and go with my gut feeling (probably more aggressive option at this point).

Message edited 7/11/2014 8:06:41 PM.

Re: Braverman cooperating with other REs?

I completely understand. I've been there before too. I did 6 ivfs for my first and two for this pregnancy. It's frustrating. I know you want all the info available so you don't waste your time and your embryos. Which Dr/lab are your embryos from? Are the excellent blasts?

Braverman cooperating with other REs?

the blasts are from this Dec cycle, by Dr.Wang/SIRM.
Unfortunately, they were still cleaved grade 3 (lowest) on 5dpo, and expanded blasts on day 6, grade 2 (good). Not ideal, but a blast is a blast :)