Your First Visit
Your First Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Session: What to Expect
Your first hyperbaric oxygen therapy session starts with a physician assessment, not the chamber. After that, a typical visit runs about 90 minutes to two hours: gradual pressurization while you clear your ears, a long stretch of resting while you breathe oxygen, and a gentle return to normal pressure.
Step One
Before Your First Session: The Physician Assessment
No one at Generations Wellness goes into a chamber without a physician assessment first. Care at our Modesto center is directed by Dr. Rajwinder Singh Bahia, MD, and the assessment is where we find out two things: whether HBOT is appropriate for your condition, and whether it is safe for you in particular. If you are new to the therapy itself, start with how hyperbaric oxygen therapy works.
What the physician reviews
- Your medical history and the reason you came. Records from your other doctors help, so bring what you have.
- Your lungs. An untreated collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is the one condition that rules HBOT out completely. Conditions such as COPD or asthma with air trapping need a closer look.
- Your ears and sinuses. Recent ear or sinus surgery, trouble equalizing, or an active cold can all affect how pressure changes feel.
- Your medications. A few drugs matter in a pressurized oxygen environment, including certain chemotherapy agents such as bleomycin, doxorubicin and cisplatin, and disulfiram.
- Seizure history and fever, which can lower the threshold for oxygen toxicity.
- Pregnancy and implanted devices. Devices such as pacemakers or insulin pumps need confirmation from the manufacturer that they are rated for chamber pressure.
- Diabetes. If you have diabetes, blood sugar around sessions is part of the conversation, and the team will explain what to do on treatment days.
You will have time to ask questions, and nothing starts until you understand the plan and agree to it. For the full list of conditions that need extra care, read who should not have HBOT.
Why the assessment is mandatory
HBOT is a medical treatment with real, if mostly mild, side effects. Screening is what keeps the rare serious ones rare. It is also how you get an honest answer: sometimes the right answer is that HBOT is not a good fit, and we would rather tell you that before you spend time or money.
Session Day
A Session, Step by Step (About 90 to 120 Minutes)
At Generations Wellness you are treated in a hard-shell monoplace chamber, a single-person medical chamber, while you breathe medical-grade oxygen at the pressure your physician prescribes. The whole visit usually takes about 90 minutes to two hours, including the time spent pressurizing and depressurizing. Here is how that time breaks down.
| Phase | How long | What you may feel | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in | A few minutes | Maybe some first-day nerves | Mention any cold, fever, ear trouble or new medication |
| Settling in | A few minutes | You lie back comfortably in the chamber | Get comfortable and confirm you can hear the team |
| Pressurization | Gradual, over several minutes | Fullness in your ears, like a plane coming in to land; the air may feel warmer | Clear your ears early and often; speak up if anything hurts |
| Time at pressure | Most of the session | Usually nothing unusual once your ears have settled | Rest, breathe normally, nap if you like |
| Depressurization | Gradual, over several minutes | Ears may pop on their own; the air may feel cooler | Breathe normally; never hold your breath |
| After | A few minutes | Some people feel a little tired or hungry | Tell the team how the session felt |
Clearing your ears
As pressure rises, the air in your middle ear needs to balance with the air around you. Most people manage this the same way they do on an airplane: swallowing, yawning, or moving the jaw. Some people also use a gentle nose-pinch technique. The team will explain how to equalize before your first session. Two rules matter most. First, start early and repeat often, rather than waiting until your ears feel blocked. Second, if you feel pain, say so right away. Pressurization can be slowed or paused while you clear your ears, and you should never push through ear pain. For step-by-step detail, read how to handle ear pressure and claustrophobia.
What you can do inside
Mostly, you rest. Many people doze off. Because the chamber is filled with oxygen, phones, tablets, watches and other electronics stay outside with our staff, so ask the team what you can use to pass the time. Trained staff stay in communication with you for the entire session, and you can ask to stop at any point. If you feel anxious about being enclosed, tell us before your first visit so we can walk you through the chamber beforehand.
The Night Before
How to Prepare: Your Checklist
Most preparation rules come from one fact: an oxygen-rich chamber makes fire more likely, so anything that could spark or burn stays out. The team will explain the exact preparation for your sessions before your first visit. In the meantime, this is what to plan for.
- Wear 100% cotton clothing. Comfortable and loose is best.
- Skip products on your skin and hair. No petroleum-based products, cosmetics, perfume, hairspray or lotion on session days.
- Plan to leave valuables outside the chamber. Jewelry, watches and electronics stay with our staff during your session.
- Eat as you normally would, unless your physician tells you otherwise.
- If you have diabetes, follow the blood-sugar plan your care team gives you for treatment days.
- Call ahead if you are sick. A cold, congestion or fever can make pressure changes painful, and a session may need to wait.
- Bring an up-to-date medication list and tell us about any new prescriptions.
- Allow extra time on your first day so check-in never feels rushed.
For item-by-item answers about glasses, hearing aids, medical devices and more, see what to wear and bring to HBOT.
Afterward
After Your Session: How You May Feel
Most people step out of the chamber and get on with their day, and many drive themselves home. A few things are normal to notice:
- Mild tiredness. Feeling a little worn out after a session is common and usually passes. If you feel drowsy, rest before you drive.
- Hunger. Plan a snack or meal for after your session.
- Ear fullness. A slight sense of fullness can linger briefly and usually settles on its own.
- Changes in near vision later in a course. Temporary nearsightedness is the most common effect on the eyes. It builds up over many sessions, not after one. According to StatPearls, vision usually improves quickly within the first six weeks after the course ends, though a full return can take up to a year. Ask your physician before changing your glasses prescription during a course.
When to call us
Call (369) 222-0979 if ear pain continues after a session, if your hearing changes, if you notice ringing or dizziness, or if you have sinus pain that does not settle. If you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or a seizure, call 911. For a full picture of what can happen and how often, see HBOT side effects and how common they are.
Week to Week
The Rhythm of a Course
HBOT works as a course of sessions, not a single visit. A typical course is 20 to 40 sessions, usually one a day, five days a week. At that pace, 20 sessions take about four weeks and 40 sessions about eight. Your physician recommends the number for your condition and reviews your progress along the way, so the plan can change. To see why counts differ by condition, read how many HBOT sessions people typically need.
Scheduling and missed days
Sessions are by appointment. Because the benefit of HBOT builds over the course, showing up consistently matters more than any single session. Life happens, though. If you are sick or need to miss a day, call us as early as you can, and your physician will decide whether the schedule needs to change.
Commuting from nearby cities
Daily sessions mean a daily drive, so it is worth planning. Off-peak driving estimates to Modesto are roughly 19 minutes from Turlock, 21 minutes from Manteca and 36 minutes from Stockton, and traffic can add time. See commuting from Turlock, Manteca or Stockton for more.
Thinking about cost
Because a course is many sessions, the total matters more than the price of one. We currently offer HBOT on a self-pay basis and review pricing with you clearly at your consultation. For national ranges, see what a course costs.
At Generations Wellness
What Our Team Does While You're in the Chamber
- Physician direction. Your pressure, session length and course are prescribed under the direction of Dr. Rajwinder Singh Bahia, MD.
- Constant communication. Trained staff are in communication with you for the entire session.
- You stay in control. You can ask to stop at any point, and the chamber is brought back to normal pressure gradually.
- Progress reviews. How you are doing is tracked across the course so the plan can be adjusted.
- Coordination with your doctors, with your permission, so HBOT fits the care you already receive.
To learn more about how we run the center, read our chamber and safety standards.
Important
A physician assessment is required before beginning HBOT at Generations Wellness. HBOT complements, and never replaces, the treatment prescribed by your doctors.
Questions
First Session: Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for something else? Browse more questions about HBOT.
What does a hyperbaric chamber feel like?
Much like a plane taking off and landing. You feel fullness in your ears while the pressure changes at the start and end, and once your ears have settled, most people notice nothing unusual while they rest.
How long is a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session?
Typically about 90 minutes to two hours, including pressurizing and depressurizing. Your physician sets the exact pressure and session length.
Can you sleep in a hyperbaric chamber?
Yes. Many people nap once the chamber is at pressure, and trained staff stay in communication with you throughout.
Why do I feel tired after HBOT?
Mild fatigue after a session is common and usually passes within the day. If you feel drowsy, rest before you drive, and tell the team if it does not ease.
Can I drive myself home?
Most people do. Any restriction that applies to you is discussed at your physician assessment.
How often are sessions scheduled?
Usually once a day, five days a week, for a physician-recommended course that is typically 20 to 40 sessions.
Sources
- StatPearls. Hyperbaric Complications. National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- StatPearls. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Contraindications. National Library of Medicine. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Standards and Codes (safety and technical FAQ). uhms.org
- University of Iowa Health Care. Medical Risks of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. uihc.org
- Travelmath. Driving time estimates to Modesto, CA (Turlock, Manteca, Stockton). travelmath.com
This page is educational and not medical advice. A physician assessment is required before HBOT, and your care team will explain exact preparation for your sessions. See our full medical disclaimer.
Your Next Step
Begin With a Physician Assessment
Every course starts with an honest conversation and a physician assessment. No pressure, no obligation.
Prefer to talk? (369) 222-0979