What to expect at your first IV therapy session
Pittsburgh's most-asked first-timer questions, answered. Studio in South Hills, plus mobile service across Allegheny and Washington counties.
Every session is placed and monitored by a Registered Nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. Medically supervised under our anonymous MD oversight.
How do I book?
You can book online through our booking page or by calling the studio. When you book, you will choose a specific drip from our menu. If you are not sure which to start with, book a consultation and your nurse will help you decide at intake. You will be asked for basic health information so the nurse can review it before your visit.
For mobile service, you choose your address at booking. We service the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Peters Township, Canonsburg, and most of the Pittsburgh metro area.
What happens when I arrive (or when our nurse arrives)?
Whether you are coming to our South Hills studio or our nurse is coming to your location, the first part of every session is the same:
- Health history review. Your nurse reviews your intake form, current medications, and any known allergies. This is a clinical conversation, not a formality. It is how we decide what is appropriate for you on this visit.
- Baseline vital signs. Blood pressure, heart rate, and a quick assessment so the nurse has a reference point if anything changes during the infusion.
- Ingredient walk-through. Your nurse walks through every ingredient in your drip so you know exactly what is going in and why. Questions are encouraged.
- Goal check. What are you here for? Recovery? Energy? Immune support? Your goal shapes any add-on recommendations the nurse makes.
Plan on 10-15 minutes for intake on your first visit. Returning visits are quicker since your history is already on file.
If your visit includes NAD+, peptide therapy, or weight-management services: a one-time annual telehealth screening through our medical partner Qualiphy is required. It’s a $30 flat fee and clears you for those services for the full year. Your nurse will set it up at intake, so you don’t need to figure it out before booking.
What does the IV placement feel like?
This is the most common first-timer question, usually from people who are uneasy about needles. Honest answer:
The needle itself is a one-to-two-second prick when the catheter is placed. Once the catheter is in the vein, the needle is removed and only a small, flexible plastic tube remains. You should not feel ongoing pain during the infusion. Some clients describe a mild ache or pressure at the site for a minute or two after placement, but it settles quickly.
Our nurses (Megan and Lauren) each have over a decade of clinical nursing experience, much of it in critical care and emergency settings where IV placement is routine. If you are needle-anxious, tell them. They have worked with many first-time clients who needed extra time, distraction, or a slower pace. There is no judgment.
If a vein is hard to access on the first attempt, the nurse will pause, check another site, and try again. This is normal and not a sign that something is wrong. Hydration status, temperature, and individual vein anatomy all play a role.
What happens during the infusion?
Most standard IV drips run 45 to 60 minutes. Some shorter drips (basic hydration) finish in 30-45 minutes. NAD+ infusions run longer: anywhere from 2 hours at lower doses to 5-6 hours at the higher end, and are paced deliberately to keep you comfortable.
During the infusion you can:
- Read, watch something on your phone, listen to music
- Work on a laptop (the studio has Wi-Fi)
- Rest or nap in the recliner
- Chat with your nurse or a companion if you brought one
Your nurse stays in the studio and checks on you periodically. You can flag them anytime if you feel anything unusual or want to adjust the rate. The infusion runs by gravity (or, for some drips, by an infusion pump). There is nothing for you to control.
For NAD+ specifically, the infusion is titrated slowly because faster rates can produce a flushing sensation (chest warmth, mild nausea, or leg cramping). Your nurse adjusts the rate to your tolerance.
What happens after?
When the bag is empty, your nurse removes the IV, applies brief pressure to the site, and puts on a small bandage. You can leave the bandage on for a few hours; the site may be slightly tender for the rest of the day but should not be painful.
Before you leave, your nurse will:
- Review what to expect over the next 24-48 hours
- Recommend hydration (water, electrolytes) for the rest of the day
- Suggest a follow-up cadence if a wellness plan or repeat series makes sense for your goals
- Answer any questions about how you should feel and what would be worth flagging
When you should expect to feel effects: hydration and standard wellness drips often produce subtle, building effects over 24-48 hours: better energy, less fatigue, clearer head. NAD+ produces a more immediate sensation during and right after the infusion, with longer-term effects building over the following days.
What if I have a reaction?
Reactions are rare. Your nurse monitors you throughout every session, and the infusion can be stopped or slowed at any point. If you feel anything unusual (warmth, tightness in your chest, nausea, lightheadedness, or anxiety), tell your nurse immediately. Adjusting the rate or pausing the drip resolves the majority of reactions.
Megan and Lauren are both Registered Nurses with extensive critical-care backgrounds. They are trained to recognize and respond to any adverse reaction. Emergency protocols are in place at the studio and on every mobile visit.
If you have a known allergy, history of severe reactions to IV nutrients, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, or are pregnant or nursing, please disclose during booking. We may ask for physician clearance before scheduling.
Common worries answered
Ready to book your first IV session?
South Hills studio or mobile across Pittsburgh. Expert nurse care, medically supervised, every visit.
