Anyone using Dr Preston Sacks at Columbia Fertility?

[Anonymous]

I am going to have my first IVF (age 40). Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I went through a cycle with him 6 months ago, and got pregnant the first try. My husband (45) and I (33) both liked him a lot, and he's good at encouraging you both to be there. He also referred my husband to Dr. Sherins downstairs, and that was a good move as my husband ended up being the bigger problem. All in all, Dr. Sacks provides very good care, is a caring person, takes a lot of time to explain things etc. My only negative about him is that he doesn't seem as up on success rates given certain treatments and ages. For instance, he suggested implanting our 2-3 blasts on day 5, but neither of us wanted twins. It was partially based on cost effectiveness (not so cost-effective to freeze only one embryo), and partially on what I think is outdated methodology for someone my age, first try and multiple availablity of embryos. I did my own research and transferred on day 5 instead of day 3 with only one and am pregnant, but I think if I had listened to him about that point, I would have been not happy with twins. In the end, he listened to what we wanted to do and didn't fight us too much, but I just got the feeling that the elective single embryo transfer was not something he was up on. That said, we are very happy with the outcome and really liked him otherwise. I think, as with all doctors, don't be afraid to question things and do what is right for you.

[Anonymous]

OP here, Many thanks, PP. Very timely and useful. I have a son already so don't want twins. I asked him if I could have one enbryo transfer instead of 2-3, and he told me that would reduce my chance of pregnancy (which seems contrary to Shady Grove data as I learned from this board). I am taking birth control pills now so have not really started the cycle. Shall I nail everything down with him before treatment, or follow the flow?

[Anonymous]

I think that it is entirely reasonable for him to suggest that you transfer 2-3 embryos at age 40. Statistically speaking, a large number of your eggs/embryos will be abnormal. Most single embryo transfers work women under 35 who have twice the rate of pregnancy as we do at 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, Many thanks, PP. Very timely and useful. I have a son already so don't want twins. I asked him if I could have one enbryo transfer instead of 2-3, and he told me that would reduce my chance of pregnancy (which seems contrary to Shady Grove data as I learned from this board). I am taking birth control pills now so have not really started the cycle. Shall I nail everything down with him before treatment, or follow the flow?

There are many factors to consider, you might want to be flexible on this one. I would wait until you hear how many fertilized embryos you have and what quality they are. I had only three on the day of transfer (2 of excellent quality, one was decent -don't remember the grades), and we opted to put back in the two high quality embryos (note: we were fine with twins). This resulted in one healthy baby. I was 31, DH was 33. In a way I was surprised -I figured with age and quality on our side, we would have had twins.

It sounds like you have done your own research, so see what you have right before transfer, and make your decisions based on that. I wish you the best of luck.

[Anonymous]

23:53 here, I'd just go with the flow, but if you have already been successful once, I would follow your own path. In the end, he'll do what you want, but of course, there are costs involved. If you can afford it, I'd do just one (unless there becomes some very apparent reason to do otherwise). You can always downselect too if more than one takes, but that's not for some people either and carries risks to the remaining one as well.

[Anonymous]

PP here again.....or you can follow the compromise my husband and I made....do one first, and if that didn't work, do two the next go-round (assuming you have them)

[Anonymous]

OP here. 23:53, congrads and good luck with your pregnancy. I started my cycle today. Since my insurance is very generous, I may end up following your path (one for the first). However, it depends on how many good quality embyro I can produce. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, very best of luck to you (23:53 here)!! I'll rub my tummy for you.

[Anonymous]

I had an IVF cycle with Dr. Preston Sacks in early 2008 and got pregnant the first time. Great doctor! My husband and I both had problems. Dr. Sacks gave us 25% chance, considering our age too. My husband was 48 and I was 33 at the time. He transferred 3 embryos in me; none of them had blasted by the 5th day. We took our chances, now we have two wonderful girls. Thank you Dr. Sacks.

[Anonymous]

We used Dr Sacks and of course we like him since we now have twins, which we are very happy with. Our first cycle failed and our FET worked. We liked his manor and also like a PP, he referred us to Dr Sherins, since we had MF and my poor dh, who had a rough time with various urologists, absolutely loved Dr Sherins and is still in contact with him now. We also had some brief contact with Dr DeMattina, whom we did not like and my obgyn recommended against using Shady Grove. All in all I was happy at Columbia, even though we were not there too long since things worked out pretty quickly. We have also stayed in touch annually with Dr Sacks via email and he always seems very keen to hear about how our kids are doing. He is really a genuine guy in my opinion. Good luck and may you have quick success.

[Anonymous]

I also think Dr. Sacks has been very good. I am newly pregnant from our last chance IUI before IVF (just hoping it sticks!), and think Dr. Sacks was helpful along the way (encouraging us to try this final IUI, even though I was ready to go the IVF route, based on my and DH's particular situation). We saw him in the Arlington office - fwiw, the DC office always seemed a bit dirty and run down (DH hated going there...).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think Dr. Sacks has been very good. I am newly pregnant from our last chance IUI before IVF (just hoping it sticks!), and think Dr. Sacks was helpful along the way (encouraging us to try this final IUI, even though I was ready to go the IVF route, based on my and DH's particular situation). We saw him in the Arlington office - fwiw, the DC office always seemed a bit dirty and run down (DH hated going there...).

FWIW, I thought CFA was average in the aesthetics department. I never thought of the DC office as dirty -just run of the mill DC doctor's office. Having been to other doctors in the VHC complex. I saw far shabbier offices there. My one complaint with the DC office is parking.

[Anonymous]

LOVE HIM! Had successful IVF with him--he is so great. I was 41 at the time, already had one child and we transferred 3 embs=--he was wavering between 2 or 3 and I said 3. Have a wonderful 1 year old daughter....

You are in the best hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, Many thanks, PP. Very timely and useful. I have a son already so don't want twins. I asked him if I could have one enbryo transfer instead of 2-3, and he told me that would reduce my chance of pregnancy (which seems contrary to Shady Grove data as I learned from this board). I am taking birth control pills now so have not really started the cycle. Shall I nail everything down with him before treatment, or follow the flow?

I posted about IVF success for singleton at age 41 using 3 embs--forgot to mention--I had done a single embryo IVF prior to my successful 3 emb with no luck at age 41, with prior child. I don't think Dr. Sacks would steer you wrong--plus the risk of twins is VERY low at our age.