Do you schedule treatments on weekends?

Many patients who want to minimize time off work plan their visit around the weekend: for example, arriving on a Thursday, having the treatment on Friday with the night at our facilities and being discharged on Saturday, which leaves Sunday to rest at home. We ask for at least one week of notice to confirm your preferred date, so the medical team and the laboratory can prepare your treatment.

Finding the right dates is one of the first practical questions when planning a treatment trip. This guide explains how scheduling works, how to plan around your work week, how much notice we need and what affects availability.

Our scheduling days

• Procedures: Monday to Friday.
• Consultations: your free phone or Zoom consultation can be scheduled on weekdays, and on some Saturdays, depending on availability.
• Arrival day: usually a weekday morning, with laboratory tests and your in-person consultation.
• Discharge: the morning after your treatment, which can fall on a Saturday if your treatment is on a Friday.

Why procedures are scheduled on weekdays

Your treatment involves several teams working together:

• The laboratory, which prepares your cells for your specific treatment date.
• The medical team, including the doctor, the stem cell specialist and the sedation team.
• Imaging services, such as MRI scheduling on your arrival day when needed, and fluoroscopy for spine procedures.
• The nursing team, which monitors you during the night after your procedure.
• The coordination and transportation teams.

Scheduling procedures on weekdays allows all these teams to be fully available for your care.

Planning around your work week

Here are some common ways to organize your visit:

Option 1: Thursday to Saturday

This option uses two working days and the weekend for recovery.

Option 2: Monday to Wednesday

This option leaves the rest of the week for rest before returning to work.

Option 3: Wednesday to Friday

This option gives you two full days of rest at home before Monday.

Remember that we recommend complete rest on the day of your treatment and the following day, and lighter activity for 3 to 5 days afterwards. Planning your visit before a weekend helps you recover without using extra days off.

How much notice do we need?

We ask for at least one week of notice to confirm your preferred date. This allows:

• The laboratory to prepare your cells for your treatment date.
• The medical team to reserve the procedure time and the room for your overnight stay.
• The coordination team to arrange your transportation, hotel and, if needed, your MRI appointment.

More notice is better, especially if you have a specific date in mind. Appointments are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, so another patient may reserve the date you want if you wait.

How to reserve your date

1. Complete your free consultation and receive your written plan.
2. Choose your preferred dates with your advisor.
3. Pay the deposit to reserve your date. The deposit allows the laboratory to begin preparing your cells for that day. Your quote is honored for up to three months.
4. Send your flight itinerary, so the team can coordinate your pick-up and return.

What affects availability

• The doctor's schedule: some weeks fill up faster, and the doctor may be fully booked on specific dates.
• Holidays: U.S. and Mexican holidays can affect border traffic, flights and hotel availability.
• Large events in the city: these can increase traffic and hotel demand.
• Your treatment: multi-day plans, spine procedures or combined treatments may need specific days.

If your preferred date is not available, your advisor will offer you the closest alternatives.

Saturday appointments

Some consultations and appointments are available on Saturdays on specific dates. If a Saturday works best for you, ask your advisor for the next available options. Keep in mind that stem cell procedures themselves are scheduled from Monday to Friday, so a weekend visit usually combines a Friday treatment with a Saturday discharge.

Return flights and weekends

On your discharge day, we recommend booking your return flight between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm, so you have time for your final check, can use the medical pass and avoid border traffic. Weekend border traffic can be heavier at certain times, so an evening flight is especially helpful on Saturdays and Sundays.

How much time off work do I need?

The answer depends on your treatment and your job:

Remember that improvement after a regenerative treatment is gradual, and avoiding heavy loads and high-impact activities involving the treated area for at least one month is part of your recovery.

If you live in Southern California

Patients who live near San Diego have more flexibility. They can drive to an agreed meeting point in the San Diego area, leave their car at a recommended parking lot near the airport and travel with our driver. Some patients who live near the San Diego airport area can be picked up at home. Local patients also find it easier to visit the clinic before booking, to meet the team and see the facilities.

If you are flying from another time zone

If you travel from the East Coast or from another country, consider arriving in San Diego the day before your arrival day and spending the night at a hotel. This allows you to rest, adjust to the time difference and be ready for an early pick-up, which keeps your fasting period short on the morning of your blood tests. Your advisor can help you plan this extra night and coordinate the pick-up from your hotel.

Changing your date

If you need to change your date, tell your advisor as soon as possible. Because your cells are prepared for your specific date, changes are easier with more notice. Your written plan includes the conditions for rescheduling and cancellation.

Common questions

Can I have my treatment on a Saturday? Stem cell procedures are scheduled Monday to Friday. A Friday treatment with a Saturday discharge is a common way to use the weekend for recovery.

Can I have my consultation on a Saturday? Some Saturday consultations are available on specific dates. Ask your advisor.

How far in advance should I book? At least one week, and more if you have specific dates in mind.

Can I arrive on a Sunday? You can arrive in San Diego or Tijuana on a Sunday and stay at a hotel, but your laboratory tests and consultation take place on a weekday. Your advisor will help you plan the itinerary.

What if I need a multi-day treatment? Your advisor plans the days so that all procedures fall on weekdays.

Questions to ask your advisor

• Which dates are available in the next few weeks?
• Can I plan my visit around a weekend?
• How much notice do you need for my treatment?
• Are there Saturday consultation slots available?

Bottom line

Stem cell procedures are scheduled Monday to Friday, and some consultations and appointments are available on Saturdays on specific dates. Many patients plan a Thursday arrival, a Friday treatment and a Saturday discharge to recover over the weekend. Give us at least one week of notice to confirm your date. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.