If you recently received the news that your doctor has recommended getting an MRI scan, you may be anticipating what’s to come and wondering how to best prepare for your appointment. It’s completely normal to experience some initial stress before receiving your MRI scan. However, it’s important to remind yourself that this is not as scary as it may seem, and there are specific steps to take before your appointment to gain the confidence you need with as little nerves as possible. Read through a few tips on how to get ready for your MRI scan and be fully prepared for your appointment.
Research the process to know what to expect
If this is your first MRI scan, it would be beneficial to do a little research on what the process is like to know exactly what to expect on the day of your appointment. An MRI scan helps medical professionals see what is going on inside your body. This is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and computers to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. A few different types of MRI machines include the traditional MRI scanner and an open MRI scanner that allows patients to be scanned in a more accessible setting.
Eat and take medications normally
One of the best parts about MRI scans is that they do not require any prior diet restrictions and you may eat normally leading up to your exam. There are also no medication restrictions, so patients can maintain their usual lifestyle routines up until the appointment.
Remove metallic objects
Patients (and their guests) must remove all metallic objects from their bodies during the entire MRI scan. MRIs use strong magnetic fields during scans, and metallic objects have a high susceptibility to magnetization. Therefore, the magnets could cause metallic objects to be pulled towards the magnet with great force, causing the metal to crack open or rip through soft surfaces. Physicians suggest removing all metallic objects, including jewelry, keys, watches, loose coins, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, and removable hearing aids to avoid any complications during your scan. It is all recommended to wear comfortable clothing that does not include any metal, like zippers or buttons.
Arrive at your appointment early
Once the day arrives, plan on getting to the doctor’s office a little earlier than your set appointment time. Like any other doctor’s appointment, it is always good to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Doing this will allow you plenty of time to fill out any necessary paperwork beforehand. Arriving early will also give you time to change into a hospital gown if needed, and also double-check that you have removed all metallic items from your body.
Schedule an appointment with Brooklyn Open MRI
Brooklyn Open MRI is dedicated to providing high-quality MRI, X-Ray, and other advanced diagnostic services. Our main goal is to support our patients with the best care. And because of our affiliation with Metro Healthcare Partners, we’re able to do just that. We accept most major medical insurance plans, as well as no-fault (auto accident injuries), worker’ compensation (on-the-job trauma), and medical liens (for personal injury cases). Contact our office today to learn more about our customized treatments.