Services
Dr. Palter, a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, has
specialized training and expertise in all aspects of infertility
care, including the use of surgery, medications, and IVF.
In order to reach our patients’ diverse goals, we provide
a full range of diagnostic and treatment services.
ADVANCED HYSTEROSCOPY
Hysteroscopy is surgery performed inside the uterus through
a tiny tube that is placed through the vagina. There are no incisions
with surgery. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and
you will return home the same day, often returning to normal activities
by the end of the day. This surgery can sometimes be performed in
the office and may require no anesthesia. Other times, it is performed
in the hospital. This surgery is commonly performed for the repair
of scar tissue in the uterus, for the removal of fibroids or further removal of polyps.
Dr. Palter is world famous for his techniques of laparoscopic surgery
and hysteroscopy. He has trained physicians from around the world
in these techniques and is a former Director of the Advanced Laparoscopy
Fellowship Program at Yale University. He has been recognized by
the largest international organization for disseminating these techniques
-- the American ssociation of Gynecological
Laparoscopy (AAGL) -- as an expert. For more information, see Dr. Palter’s bio and CV.
Dr. Palter uses the latest equipment available and is frequently
asked to help develop surgical equipment by manufacturers around
the world.
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ADVANCED LASER LAPAROSCOPY
Laparoscopy is “keyhole” surgery, where tiny
incisions less than one inch long, made in the abdomen, are made
to allow reconstructive surgery to be performed. This surgery may
be performed to treat endometriosis, fibroids, or other conditions
affecting infertility, including
reconstruction of damaged reproductive organs, repair of damaged
fallopian tubes, and removal of ovarian cysts. Virtually all of
the surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, where you will
usually return home the same day as your surgery and have a quick
recovery.
Dr. Palter is world famous for his techniques of laparoscopic surgery.
He has trained physicians from around the world in these techniques
and is a former Director of the Advanced Laparoscopy Fellowship
Program at Yale University. He has been recognized by the largest
international organization for disseminating these techniques --
the American Association of Gynecological
Laparoscopy (AAGL) -- as an expert. For more information, see Dr. Palter’s bio.
Dr. Palter uses the latest equipment available and is frequently
asked to help develop surgical equipment by manufacturers around
the world.
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ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
This is commonly called intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Here, the man’s sperm is specially processed to remove the non-sperm fluid from the ejaculate, remove the abnormally shaped, nonmotile and abnormal sperm and dead sperm and then the normal sperm are concentrated. The sperm is then painlessly placed into a women’s uterus through a tiny catheter in a simple office procedure. The woman is free to go about her activities later that day. For many fertility medication therapies, the addition of artificial insemination will double success rates.This technique is effective in placing a high concentration of purified normal sperm directly into the uterus near the opening of the fallopian tube where the egg is.
At Gold Coast IVF, we perform the most sophisticated form of sperm preparation that involves specialized equipment and media to ensure the highest possible success rates. Our lab carefully analyzes sperm quality during the preparation process as part of our protocol, and in recognition of our dedication
to the highest quality and standards, we are a licensed NYS insemination
and donor insemination site.
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DONOR SPERM
Donor sperm is used in situations where the man has zero sperm production
(for more information, see male
infertility). In cases where there are even a few sperm produced, donor sperm is often not necessary. Donor sperm may be also used if there are serious genetic abnormalities in a man, in order to prevent these diseases from being passed on to an offspring. (for
more information, see preimplantation genetic diagnosis).
Donor sperm may be also used for single woman who are looking to
become pregnant in a safe and controlled manner.
Gold Coast IVF is a New York State licensed donor sperm insemination
site. We employ the highest selection criteria and work with licensed
reputable sperm banks. Prior to using donor sperm, you will meet
with the physician, nurse educator and psychologist to select the
perfect donor that meets the specific criteria that you are looking
for. There are extremely high success
rates when these treatments are used.
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EGG DONATION
Egg donation is commonly used when the woman is menopausal
or has no further egg production. You will require an evaluation
by the physicians to determine whether or not egg donation is the
best treatment for you. We will work with you if you require donation
to select an appropriate donor and ensure that the process is as
simple as possible. There are extremely high success rates with
this therapy.
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FERTILITY MEDICATIONS
Fertility medications are commonly used in the treatment
of infertility problems. These may be medications taken by mouth
or by injection. These drugs can correct hormonal problems in the
woman or man, and can result in the production of eggs in women
who do not normally produce them. In other cases, the medication
may be used in conjunction with artificial insemination or in
vitro fertilization.
At
Gold Coast, we pride ourselves on using our Road Map to Success for each and every patient before proceeding with treatment.
Prior to prescribing any medication, we will verify your insurance
coverage and assist in the delivery of the medication to your house
directly from a pharmacy if you so desire. Fertility medications
are covered by most insurance companies.
Prior to using any medication, patients have a specialized meeting
with the physician and nurse educator who will spend an hour or
more to explain, step by step, every medication used and offer instruction
in what to expect. We are available 24 hours a day seven days a
week to answer any questions that you may have with these medications.
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IN VITRO FERTILIZATION
In vitro fertilization is the technology of “test
tube babies.” With in vitro fertilization, the woman
takes medications that stimulate the production of eggs. These eggs
are removed from the ovary by a simple procedure and mixed with
her partner’s sperm in a specialized laboratory. Once these
eggs are fertilized, they are grown for several days in the laboratory
and then placed back into the uterus through the vagina. This is
the most advanced of all infertility therapies, and in vitro fertilization is an effective technique for virtually all forms
of infertility.
Gold Coast IVF success rates are
among the highest in the world, surpassing those of most major university
centers. Because of our private setting and our intense focus on
individual success, we are able to institute innovations in treatment
quickly, and we participate in voluntary clinical trials to keep
improving our standard of care. We are proud of our outstanding
world class success rates with in vitro fertilization.
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INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION
(ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is used in conjunction with in
vitro fertilization (IVF) to assist fertilization of the egg.
With certain severe abnormalities of egg and sperm, fertilization
will not occur if the two are placed together in a dish. In these
circumstances, a single sperm is picked up through a microscopic
needle under a microscope and directly injected into the center
of the woman’s egg. We have outstanding high fertilization
and pregnancy rates using this technology when it is required.
At Gold Coast, we make use of ICSI and other innovations in IVF
treatments to ensure the highest possible success
rates for our patients. We are proud that our success rates
using ICSI are superb, and continue to seek other innovations that
will improve our rates even further.
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OVULATION INDUCTION
Ovulation induction is the use of fertility medications
to stimulate the production of eggs in a woman who does not normally
produce them. This may be done with medications given by mouth or
in some circumstances via injection.
At Gold Coast, we will instruct you on the use of any fertility
medications prior to use and are available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, for any problems you may have. We are successful in
inducing ovulation in virtually all women who have eggs in their
ovary and are not normally releasing them.
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PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a new diagnostic test whereby developing embryos can be tested for genetic abnormalities so that only the genetically normal embryo is replaced into the uterus with in vitro fertilization.
At Gold Coast, as part of our Road Map to Success,
we work with each couple to ensure that any necessary tests are
completed before pregnancy, so that proactive steps can
be taken to address any genetic issues that arise.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL
COUNSELING AND STRESS REDUCTION
Infertility, like any chronic illness, can place stress
upon an individual or on a marriage. We recognize this, and as a
result Gold Coast is the first program on Long Island to have a
specialized psychologist on staff. Dr.
Cheryl Zadek is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized
training in women’s and marital counseling as well as infertility
counseling. She is a valuable resource in helping couples make difficult
treatment decisions, and can also help couples who may be experiencing
episodes of stress – with themselves, with work, with family
members or in their other relationships. Dr. Zadek has developed
specialized stress reduction techniques to help heal the whole patient.
At Gold Coast IVF, our philosophy is that the treatment should
be as painless as possible – both physically and emotionally.
We are here to support you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if
you have any problems or feel that your treatment is being compromised
by outside pressures.
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