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Preparing for an Ultrasound
How to Prepare for Your Ultrasound
For the most accurate results, it is important to know how to prepare for your particular type of ultrasound:
Abdominal Ultrasound Preparation
- Eat a low fat dinner on the evening before the examination- (no fried, fatty or greasy foods and no dairy products)
- Nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours prior to your appointment
- If there are medications that you must take, only drink a small amount of water when taking the medications
Pelvic Ultrasound Preparation
- Eat all meals as usual on the day of the exam
- Take all medications that you generally take, including fluid pills
- Drink 32 ounces of fluid (water, juice or soda) within 15 minutes, one hour prior to your appt time.
- Do not empty your bladder prior to having this exam (bladder must be full)
Pregnancy/Obstetrical Ultrasound Preparation
- You do not need to fast for this exam (eat all meals as usual on the day of the exam)
- Take all medications as usual
- Drink 32 ounces of fluid (water, juice or soda) within 15 minutes, one hour prior to your appt time.
- Do not empty your bladder prior to having this exam (bladder must be full)
Kidney/Renal/Retroperitoneal Preparation
- You do not need to fast for this exam (eat all meals as usual on the day of the exam)
- Take all medications as usual
- Drink (3) 8 ounce glasses of fluid (water, juice or soda) one hour before your appointment
- Do not empty your bladder prior to having this exam (bladder must be full)
Ultrasound Guided Biopsy Preparation
- Do not take any aspirin or aspirin products, i.e. ibuprofen, motrin, advil, aleve, excedrin, bufferin, plavix or blood thinners including coumadin, heparin, for 5 days prior to having your procedure. Before stopping any medications, please consult your physician.
Ultrasound Guided Cyst Aspiration Preparation
- Do not take any aspirin or aspirin products, i.e. ibuprofen, motrin, advil, aleve, excedrin, bufferin, plavix or blood thinners including coumadin, heparin, for 3 days prior to having your procedure. Before stopping any medications, please consult your physician.