Any experience with VCRM?

[Anonymous]

Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine seems to have very good SART numbers for the AMA group. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them? What IVF protocols did you go through? Do they offer PGD?

[Anonymous]

I was initially a patient at VCRM, but didn't end up cycling there because of Dr. Sharara. He was very arrogant and wasn't very receptive to patient dialogue with regards to treatment. I had a surgical need and he did not provide detail of what exactly the issue. No explanation of why this situation was really impacting my fertility, no explanation of the surgery and recovery time - basically nothing and it was MAJOR surgery. All he indicated was that it needed to be done and I should get my OB to do it since he did not take my insurance. Next RE explained things in detail and reassured me of the need to get it done and the possibility of minimizing the scarring/recovery. And don't think the "hand holding" from the second RE was because he would be doing my surgery and making money off of me - he, too, was going to have someone else, a gynecological oncologist, do the surgery since he does not operate anymore.

Dr. Sharara also told me that we ABSOLUTELY had to use ICSI because of DH's SA. I have done several cycles elsewhere with larger and more reputable clinics (including Cornell). Interestingly enough, ICSI has never been used (or advised) and my fert rates are totally normal. I am AMA as well. While his success rates are high, look at the number of cycles he does in a year. He does a fraction of what the larger clinics do and only a handful of successes make a huge difference in his numbers.

[Anonymous]

PP here. One more thing. I didn't like the fact that he charged me out of pocket for day 3 b/w in his office to the tune of $400+ when it was sent to Labcorp and covered by my insurance. I realized that scam when I was looking through my medical records long after I left there and was none too pleased. Nothing I could do about it then, but it still bothers me.