Help me with my appointment with Dr. Davis at Cornell today

[Anonymous]

Hi All,
I have a long awaited appointment with Dr. Davis today. I have AMA and DOR and after being told by SGF that I am not a good candidate for IVF, this is somewhat of a last ditch attempt.
I've heard that Dr. Davis is great but talks very fast. I am worried that I will forget my questions when I'm there, and as I'm spending $1k w/travel on this meeting, so I'd like to make the most of it.
What questions should I ask?

Thanks to all

[Anonymous]

Maybe write down your questions on a notepad with lots of room to take notes?

At the end, before he leaves the room -- ask if you can quickly summarize your understanding of what he said? He may clarify and you can add to your notes.

Not familiar with this doctor but have been to way too many doctors over the years. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Any chance you can bring a friend if not your SO? Helps to have a second pair of ears.

[Anonymous]

Pencil & notepad. Record everything. Confirm with him if you missed anything.

Write down your questions in advance.

He already has your medical records, right?

The big question will be if you try with your own eggs.

Which protocols? Estrogen priming protocol? Co-culture?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pencil & notepad. Record everything. Confirm with him if you missed anything.

Write down your questions in advance.

He already has your medical records, right?

The big question will be if you try with your own eggs.

Which protocols? Estrogen priming protocol? Co-culture?

OP here. Yes, he has my medical records. Thanks for the question prompts, very helpful.

[Anonymous]

How was it OP? I ditched SG in favor of Cornell in 2015. He’s my Dr. Best decision ever. DS is 8 months.

[Anonymous]

OP can you report back on how it went with Dr Davis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was it OP? I ditched SG in favor of Cornell in 2015. He’s my Dr. Best decision ever. DS is 8 months.

OP here. It was a really good meeting and I understand why he is so widely lauded. I am 42 with DOR and Widra at Shady Grove basically told me that they wouldn't do IVF and that DE was my only option. Because Dr. Davis specializes in AMA and DOR, he has a wider repertory of protocols to choose from (that he has used) and I think that makes a difference. We talked for an hour about my medical history, he answered every question, and he explained what his protocol would be and why. He also did an ultrasound to get a follicle count. At my age, it's still only a 12ish% success rate, but that is way higher than any of the clinics in the DMV. I think we are going to proceed with him, but even if we didn't, I felt the consult was worth the $650 and was way more comprehensive than any of the doctor's at SGF that I interacted with have been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was it OP? I ditched SG in favor of Cornell in 2015. He’s my Dr. Best decision ever. DS is 8 months.

OP here. How old were you when you started working with him?

[Anonymous]

OP was this a phone consult? How did it work? I'm about to walk the same road

[Anonymous]

I ditched SGF after 3 tried and went to Cornell, Dr. Davis was my doctor, I have twins now 7yrs old. Highly recommend him and Cornell.

[Anonymous]

For the PP, what were your issues at SGF--and your medical situation--DOR?etc? I'm considering a switch.

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP was this a phone consult? How did it work? I'm about to walk the same road

You can do phone or in person. I thought it was important to be there in person even though there was added cost and inconvenience.
Lots of people say he talks fast and he does and I was worried I wouldn’t catch it over the phone. Very important to send all of your medical records in advance.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I am the first PP who switched from SG to Cornell with the 8 month old. I was also a patient of Dr. Widra and came into his care when I was 32. I was in Shared Risk and had the beginnings of DOR. I did 3 cycles and only got two blasts over those 3 cycles. One was aneuploid and ended in termination, the other was PGS normal and didn't take. Widra always insisted on going to blast, and after the termination, PGS testing - but I could never get blasts. At 33, I got my money back and switched over. At Cornell the biggest change was day 3 fresh (so untested) transfers. My retrieval rates were phenomenal. From MAX 12 eggs at SG to 25 on my first cycle at Cornell (Dr. Davis). I got pregnant almost every time but still had trouble with remaining embryos making it to freeze/blast. Miscarried the first two pregnancies and then added in immunology support. We decided to start freezing at 2pn (day 1) and doing FETs. First FET did not take but the second worked and now I have a bunch frozen. Cornell with freeze either blasts or 2pn only. I was 35 when my DS was born.

[Anonymous]

I don't get the point of freezing 2 day....what's the advantage? Just because they are fertilized?