On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless you're advised otherwise. In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for up to 4 hours before the scan, and sometimes you may be asked to drink a fairly large amount of water beforehand.
Most of the time, you can eat before having an MRI. However, people with certain health conditions like fecal urgency or acid reflux may be advised to wait for 2 to 4 hours after eating and drinking to have an MRI. Certain health conditions may factor in your decision.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
Exam preparation:
Patient should not eat or drink anything for eight hours before MRI scan.
There is no special preparation necessary for the MRI examination. There are no food or drink restrictions prior to the MRI exam. Continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor unless otherwise directed. MRI or MRA Kidneys, MRCP, Liver or Pelvis: Do not eat anything four hours before the exam.
On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless you're advised otherwise.
Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.
It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
How long does an MRI scan take? A single scan may take a few seconds or 3 to 8 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The total scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed.
It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
You should not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your exam time. You may take your medications with a small sip of water if needed. The day before your exam drink plenty of water so you are well hydrated. Being hydrated will ease the discomfort for those receiving contrast.
Fasting – before undergoing a pelvic or abdominal MRI scan, you will be advised not to eat or drink for at least five hours before the procedure. In most other cases, it is usually not necessary to avoid food or drink prior to the scan. However, be advised by your doctor.
Yes, you can eat and drink as normal.
It's important not to drink a lot of caffeine before your MRI because caffeine will make your blood vessels constrict. If your scan is monitoring blood flow, constricted blood vessels will give you inaccurate results.
After the exam
Radiology staff will bring you back to your locker and you can change back into your clothes. If injected contrast agent was used, the IV will be removed from your arm before you go home. If you took medication to prevent claustrophobia or were given anesthesia, you must have someone else drive you home.
The average cost of an MRI can range anywhere from $400 to $12,000, depending on the place of service, health insurance, location, extra medications, the provider, and body part scanned. Health insurance typically covers authorized MRIs.
What type of anesthesia is used for MRI? Generally, MRIs under anesthesia are performed under sedation, although sometimes they are performed under general anesthesia. Sedation is characterized as being in a state between relaxed and very sleepy, but not quite unconscious.
You won't have pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. But you may be tired or sore from lying in one position for a long time. If a contrast material is used, you may feel some coolness when it is put into your IV.
24 hours prior to your appointment begin eating light meals (for example; broth-based soups, toast, pudding, jello, or applesauce). You may take your medications as usual.
Gadobenate is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA). Gadobenate is given by injection before an MRI scan to help find problems in the brain, spine, and other parts of your body.
Most metal tooth fillings or other permanent dental implants won't cause a problem. If you have detachable metal braces or a retainer, you should take them out before you get an MRI.
Please wear comfortable clothing. Cotton, polyester, and wool are best. Don't worry about the snaps or zippers on pants, as that metal can be allowed into the scanning facility. If you have questions about these procedures, please feel free to contact the study coordinator.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.