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. 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.
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.
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.
The Morning of Your MRI
You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
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.
There is no need to alter your diet or medication prior to an M.R.I. examination*. During the exam most metal items will need to be removed.
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.
For instance, a Cardiac MRI may require you to not eat for six hours before the MRI scan. Some MRIs require 4 hours and some 2 hours! This is to stimulate the resistance power & avoid gas formation or excess liquids inside the body that may result in cloudy images!
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.
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.
Eating before your appointment
If you are getting intravenous contrast material, which helps your body part show up better in the MRI pictures, or sedative medicine during the examination, you may be asked to not eat solid food for four to eight hours before the examination.
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 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.
If you're getting an MRI/MRA with IV Contrast
For IV Contrast patients, you should stay hydrated and should drink 16 oz. of water prior to your exam and 16 oz. of water after your exam.
Before the MRI
You may take all medicines. You may eat and drink unless you are having an MRCP, a specific exam for your gallbladder. You will be asked to fill out a patient history form before your exam.
This high incidence of use is significant because caffeine can affect the results of several common diagnostic tests, including MRI.
MRI is also contraindicated in the presence of internal metallic objects such as bullets or shrapnel, as well as surgical clips, pins, plates, screws, metal sutures, or wire mesh. If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your physician.
Unless you're told otherwise, you can shower and wash your hair the morning of your MRI. Don't use any hair products (such as hair spray or hair gel). Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings.
Be sure to wear clothing that does not have any metal in it (zippers, buttons, etc.). If your clothes do have metal in them, you'll be given a hospital gown to change into for your scan. Normally you can wear your underwear and socks during the scan, unless your radiologist is concerned about metal microfibers.
You will be asked to remove any clothing containing metal and all jewelry. You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants.