How to Prepare for Your MRI Appointment

We’ve previously discussed what an MRI test entails and what to expect at your appointment. Here we will address a common concern–how to prepare. When you are adequately prepared for your MRI appointment, it can go as smoothly as possible with as little inconvenience to you. Here is a collection of all of the tips and suggestions that our doctors approve and that we regularly share with our clients.

When you are ready to make an MRI scan or diagnostics appointment or need to inquire about pricing, please feel free to contact our office.

What Is An MRI?

To put it simply, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is a non-invasive imaging technology that allows medical providers to see three-dimensional images of various parts of the body. It allows doctors to see inside a patient’s body, thanks to detailed images of their organs, tissues, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and other internal structures. The strong magnetic fields and radio waves create a reaction and both track and record that change in a visual representation that doctors can then use to evaluate a patient’s condition.

To achieve the best results and keep themselves safe, patients need to follow some key steps prior to their MRI appointment.

How To Prepare

Unless your doctors have previously notified you, there is no reason to abstain from food or drink on the day of your appointment. That said, for certain scans, you may need to fast beforehand. These could include MRI scans of the abdomen or pelvis, among others. You can iron out all the relevant details with our helpful staff prior to your appointment.

You can also generally take your regular medications, but please do bring a list of your current medications for the technologist to review. The exception may be a medication patch or continuous glucose monitoring patch. Since these may contain components that could interact with the magnetic force of the MRI equipment, it is often safest to remove them prior to the exam. Work with your physician to ensure that this is done safely and properly.

Wear comfortable, easy-to-change clothing, as you may need to wear a hospital gown for the test itself. That said, if you choose to wear clothing that does not contain metal, changing into a gown isn’t necessary. Comfortable clothing also ensures that you are not bothered by your clothing and that you can have a smoother overall experience with less stress. Because you will need to remove all jewelry prior to any MRI scans, it is often recommended that these items be left at home to prevent any potential loss. The same is true for any body piercings, watches, or other metal accessories. Since new piercings cannot always easily be removed, it is best not to obtain a piercing prior to your MRI scan if at all possible.

Hearing aids can also not be worn during the test as their sensitive components could suffer damage. However, they are often required for day-to-day functioning, so you can wear them to your appointment, but you will be kindly asked to remove them prior to any MRI scans. The same holds true for removable dental work and eyeglasses.

While it may not seem obvious, many personal care and cosmetic products contain metal particles that could potentially interfere with the MRI’s magnetic field, leading to poor image quality. In some cases, and depending on the area of use, these products could even lead to burns. For your own safety and for the best test outcomes, we request that patients avoid the use of hairspray, certain cosmetics (especially eyeshadow), magnetic eyelashes, certain lotions, and antiperspirants. Non-aluminum deodorants are typically fine, but feel free to check with us prior to your appointment.

Other personal details that it is vitally important for you to disclose to the MRI technician include:

• If you have a pacemaker, spinal stimulator, or pain pump
• If you have a metal plate, pin, or other metallic implant
• If you have cochlear implants or a metallic ear implant
• If you have aneurysm clips
• If you have been exposed to metallic fragments (veterans, metal workers, etc.)
• If you are pregnant

To ensure your safety and so that personal items are not impacted by the MRI equipment, any electronic devices, credit cards, and metal objects should remain outside of the scanner room.

On the day of your appointment, plan to arrive early so that you can complete any necessary paperwork and have plenty of time to change into a gown at a comfortable pace. If a contrast agent is necessary, you will also want to ensure that there is plenty of time for a nurse or technologist to set that up. It may also be helpful to mentally prepare, since MRI scans require patients to relax and lie perfectly still, even holding their breath for a short time during the test. At Advantage Diagnostics, we are happy to offer patients the more comfortable open MRI equipment, which removes the claustrophobic component that many people feel in traditional MRI machines.

All in all, if you follow these recommendations, heed any advice from your technologist during the appointment, and maintain open communication with them, your test should go well. The average MRI exam usually takes between 45-60 minutes. When the test is complete, you will likely be able to return to work or home and resume your normal activities. One of our radiologists will review and interpret your images and report their findings to your physician.

MRI Diagnostics In Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio

If you are a patient in the Cleveland or Columbus, Ohio area and your doctor has prescribed an MRI as part of your diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring plan, you have options. Many individuals are unable to tolerate traditional MRI equipment. For them, the open MRI is the best available option. Advantage Diagnostics understands that medical care is not a one-size-fits-all service and is proud to offer open MRI services along with a team of expert radiologists who can quickly and accurately interpret your test results. Contact us today to find which of our locations is most convenient for you, to request or submit a patient referral form, and to learn more about our suite of services.