Physician-led plasma exchange at our Mill Valley clinic — about 40 minutes from Oakland without traffic.
655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, Mill Valley, CA 94941
East Bay patients usually reach our Mill Valley clinic over the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge rather than through San Francisco. From Berkeley and Oakland that is a direct run up I-580 and across the bridge; from Lafayette and Walnut Creek it adds the Caldecott Tunnel at the start.
Here is what a visit looks like from the East Bay — which bridge to take, how the toll works, how traffic affects timing, and what to expect at the clinic and on the drive home.
Communities we see patients from
Berkeley · Oakland · Albany & El Cerrito · Lafayette · Orinda · Walnut Creek · Richmond
Typical times without traffic. Check live conditions before you leave.
The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge toll is collected westbound, on your way into Marin; the return trip is toll-free. Tolling is all-electronic — FasTrak or pay-by-plate.
Bridge and I-580 traffic is heaviest at commute peaks. A late-morning appointment generally gives you the easiest crossing in both directions.
There are no restrictions on driving after a session. If you would rather not make the return drive alone — particularly from Walnut Creek or Lafayette — a companion is welcome to come with you.
The procedure itself takes about two hours. Plan for about three hours at the clinic to allow for setup and wrap-up — plus your drive, about 40 minutes each way from Oakland without traffic.
Hydrate well — about three liters of water a day for several days beforehand. Rest the night before, avoid alcohol that evening, and skip strenuous exercise or sauna. Eat a full meal before your session; this is not a fasting procedure.
Wear something with loose or short sleeves so the veins at your inner elbows are easy to reach. One arm is typically free during treatment, so bring something to read, a laptop or your phone. Your physician will review your full medication list with you before your first session.
If you take blood pressure medication in the morning, it is often recommended to hold it until after the procedure. Most other medications can be taken as normal — your physician will advise you specifically.
Leave the bandages on your arms for several hours. Beyond that there are no restrictions: you can drive, travel, eat and go about your day. Most patients feel the same as when they arrived; a small percentage feel a little tired.
Most patients come alone and drive themselves home. A companion is not required, but someone close to you is welcome to sit with you — and if you would rather not make the return trip alone, bringing a driver is entirely reasonable.
We are open Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. A typical protocol involves four to six sessions, and your physician will design a plan specific to you. For a fuller walk-through, read What to Expect During Your First TPE Session.
Global Apheresis is led by Dr. Dobri Kiprov and Dr. Allen Green. Read more about our physicians and our published research.
Dr. Kiprov has practiced therapeutic apheresis in the Bay Area since the 1980s.
Every session at Global Apheresis is physician-led, with a nurse at your side throughout.
Our physicians publish and present research on plasma exchange, including a 2026 journal theme issue.
Plasma exchange protocols informed by the AMBAR trial for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn More →Plasma exchange as part of a healthspan program, with biological age testing to follow markers over time.
Learn More →Removing circulating antibodies and inflammatory mediators in conditions such as myasthenia gravis.
Learn More →Plasma exchange to lower circulating environmental toxins, including PFAS “forever chemicals.”
Learn More →Long COVID, PANS/PANDAS and other persistent post-infectious conditions.
Learn More →Without traffic, allow about 35 minutes from Berkeley, about 40 minutes from Oakland, about 45 minutes from Lafayette and about 50 minutes from Walnut Creek, using I-580 and the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.
For most East Bay patients the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge is the most direct route: I-580 West across the bridge, then US-101 South a few miles to Mill Valley. Check live traffic before you leave, as conditions on the day may favor a different route.
No. All treatment takes place at our clinic at 655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370, in Mill Valley, which East Bay patients usually reach via the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.
No. The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge toll is collected westbound only, on the way into Marin. The drive home is toll-free.
The procedure itself takes about two hours. Plan for about three hours in total to allow for setup and wrap-up. A nurse stays with you throughout, and one arm is typically free, so many patients read, work on a laptop or rest.
Global Apheresis
655 Redwood Highway, Suite 370
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Schedule a free discovery call with our physicians before you plan a trip. We will talk through your history and goals, and whether plasma exchange is appropriate for you.
Book a Free Discovery Call