How to Prepare for Abdominal MRI: Complete Guide

Your doctor has scheduled you for an abdominal MRI, and now you're probably wondering: What do I need to do to prepare? Can I eat? What should I wear? Do I need someone to drive me home?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to have a smooth, successful MRI experience. Being prepared not only makes the process less stressful but also ensures your doctor gets the clearest, most accurate images possible.

Use this quick checklist in the days leading up to your appointment:

MRI machines use powerful magnets—thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. Metal can become dangerous projectiles, interfere with imaging, or heat up and cause injury.

Metal That's Absolutely Prohibited

Do NOT enter the MRI room if you have:

• Pacemaker or defibrillator
• Cochlear ear implant
• Certain brain aneurysm clips
• Certain metal heart valves
• Neurostimulator (like for Parkinson's)
• Implanted pain medication pumps
• Metal fragments in your eyes (from welding or machining)
• Certain intrauterine devices (IUDs)—ask your doctor

These are absolute contraindications—the MRI cannot be performed if you have any of these. Always tell the MRI technologist AND your doctor about any implants.

Metal That Needs to Be Removed

You'll need to take off:

• Jewelry (all of it—including piercings)
• Watches and fitness trackers
• Hearing aids
• Glasses (some are metal-free, but remove to be safe)
• Dentures with metal
• Hairpins, metal hair clips, barrettes
• Underwire bras (switch to a sports bra or camisole)
• Clothing with zippers, buttons, snaps, or metal embellishments
• Shoes (most have metal eyelets or shanks)
• Coins, keys, phone, credit cards with chips

Pro tip: Leave valuables at home. The MRI facility has lockers, but it's safer to leave expensive jewelry at home.

Tattoos and Permanent Makeup

Some tattoo inks contain metallic pigments. Most tattoos are fine, but:

• Tell the technologist about any tattoos
• They may place a cold, wet cloth over the tattoo during the scan
• If you feel any burning or heating, tell them immediately

Fasting instructions for abdominal MRI vary depending on what your doctor is looking for and whether you're having contrast dye.

When You Must Fast

You'll need to fast (no food or drink) for 4-6 hours before your MRI if:

• You're having contrast dye (common for abdominal MRI)
• Your doctor is imaging your liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or bile ducts
• You're having MRCP (a detailed bile duct study)

Why? Food stimulates your digestive system, which can:

• Create motion artifacts that blur images
• Cause your gallbladder to contract (making it harder to see stones)
• Affect how contrast dye is absorbed

When You Can Eat

If your doctor ordered a non-contrast MRI, you may be able to eat a light meal 2-3 hours beforehand. Always confirm with the imaging center—when in doubt, fast to be safe.

What About Water?

Small sips of water are usually okay, even when fasting for contrast. However:

• Don't drink large amounts (you'll be lying still for 30-60 minutes)
• Avoid caffeine (it can make you restless, and you need to lie still)
• No alcohol (affects liver appearance on imaging)

Usually OK to Take

Most medications can be taken with a small sip of water, even when fasting:

• Blood pressure medications
• Heart medications
• Thyroid medications
• Most maintenance medications

Take them at your regular time, or as close to it as possible.

Ask Your Doctor About

• Diabetes medications: Your dose may need adjustment if you're fasting
• Diuretics (water pills): You'll be lying still for a while—plan accordingly
• Blood thinners: Generally okay, but tell the MRI staff

Supplements

Skip supplements on the day of your MRI unless your doctor says otherwise. Some (like iron) can affect image quality.

What you wear matters more than you might think. The right clothing means you won't have to change into a hospital gown.

Perfect MRI Outfit

• Loose, comfortable pants with an elastic waist (sweatpants, joggers, yoga pants)
• Sports bra or camisole (no underwire!)
• T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt with no metal embellishments
• Socks (it's cold in the scanner room)
• Slip-on shoes you can easily remove

Check Your Clothing

Before you leave home, check for:

• Zippers → They're metal
• Metal buttons or snaps → Metal
• Decorative studs, rhinestones → Often metal
• Shiny threads → Sometimes metallic
• Underwire in bras → Always metal

What NOT to Wear

• Jeans (zippers and rivets)
• Dresses with metal zippers or embellishments
• Underwire bras
• Jewelry of any kind
• Makeup with metallic particles (some foundations, eyeshadows)
• Hair products with metallic flakes (some sprays and gels)

When in doubt, wear 100% cotton, loose, comfortable clothing with no closures.

Hair

• Remove all hair accessories: clips, pins, ties with metal, headbands
• If you have long hair, tie it back with a rubber band or scrunchie (no metal)
• Don't use hair products that contain metallic particles (rare, but some do)

Makeup and Personal Care

• Skip makeup if possible (some foundations and powders contain metal)
• Remove all jewelry, including body piercings
• Don't wear perfume or scented products (some people are sensitive, and you're in a small space)
• Avoid antiperspirant with aluminum if you're having a chest or upper abdominal scan

What to Bring

• Insurance card and ID
• Referral form or order from your doctor (if they gave you one)
• List of medications and implants
• Credit card or method of payment (for copay or deductible)
• Someone to drive you (if you're taking anti-anxiety medication)

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive 15-30 minutes early. This gives you time to:

• Complete paperwork
• Change clothes if needed
• Talk to the technologist
• Use the restroom
• Get settled before your scan time

What to Expect When You Arrive

1. Check-in: You'll provide insurance information and complete forms
2. Screening: You'll answer detailed questions about metal in your body
3. Change area: If needed, you'll change into a hospital gown and secure your belongings
4. Meet the technologist: They'll explain the procedure and answer questions
5. IV placement (if having contrast): They'll place an IV catheter, usually in your arm

Knowing what to expect makes it much less intimidating.

Getting Into the Scanner

1. You'll lie on a narrow table
2. The technologist will position you—sometimes using foam pads or straps to help you stay still
3. You'll be given earplugs or headphones (it's loud!)
4. If you're having contrast, they'll inject it through your IV—you might feel a cold sensation
5. The table will slide into the scanner

The Scanner Environment

• The MRI is a long, narrow tube
• You'll be in it for 30-60 minutes
• You're never completely enclosed—both ends are open
• The technologist can see and hear you the entire time
• You'll have a call button if you need anything

The Noise

MRI scanners are LOUD—banging, clanging, clicking, and whirring. This is normal.

• Earplugs or headphones are mandatory
• Some centers let you listen to music
• The noise changes throughout the scan as different parts of the machine activate

Staying Still

You need to lie as still as possible.

• Movement blurs the images, which might mean you have to repeat the scan
• The technologist will tell you when you need to be perfectly still and when slight movement is okay
• Find a comfortable position before they start

Breath-Holding Instructions

For abdominal MRI, you'll often be asked to:

• Hold your breath for 15-25 seconds at a time
• The machine will tell you when to breathe, hold, and release
• Practice breathing beforehand: deep breath in, breathe out halfway, hold
• Don't hold your breath until the machine tells you to

How Long Does It Take?

If you move and need to repeat sequences, it'll take longer.

Up to 20% of people feel anxious during MRI. You're not alone, and there are solutions:

Before Your Appointment

• Ask about sedation: Your doctor can prescribe anti-anxiety medication to take beforehand
• Practice relaxation: Deep breathing, meditation, or visualization exercises
• Visit the center: Some facilities offer a tour before your appointment to see the machine

During the Scan

• Close your eyes: This helps many people feel less enclosed
• Use the call button: The technologist can talk to you between sequences
• Listen to music: Many centers let you bring your own music or choose from theirs
• Count: Some people count or do mental exercises to pass the time
• Focus on your breath: Deep, slow breathing activates your calming nervous system

Open MRI Options

"Open" MRI machines are less enclosed but often produce lower-quality images. Ask your doctor:

• Is an open MRI acceptable for my condition?
• Can I use an open machine with a stronger magnet (1.2T vs. the standard 1.5T or 3T)?

Contrast dye (gadolinium) enhances certain tissues and blood vessels, giving your doctor more detailed information.

During the Injection

• You'll feel a cold sensation in your arm
• It might feel like it's spreading through your body
• This is normal and passes in less than a minute

After the Scan

• The contrast will be eliminated through your urine over the next 24 hours
• Drink extra water to help flush it out
• The contrast is generally safe, but tell the technologist if you:
  • Have had a reaction to contrast before
  • Have kidney disease
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Immediately After

• You can return to normal activities right away
• If you had sedation, someone else must drive you home
• Drink extra water if you had contrast
• The radiologist will interpret your images

Getting Results

• Preliminary results: Sometimes your doctor will have results the same day
• Final report: Usually within 24-48 hours
• Follow-up appointment: Your doctor will discuss findings with you

You won't receive results from the technologist. They're not allowed to discuss findings—only the radiologist can interpret images, and only your doctor can diagnose you.

Pregnancy

MRI does not use radiation, so it's generally considered safe during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. However:

• Always tell your doctor if you're pregnant or could be pregnant
• Contrast dye is generally avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary
• Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor

Breastfeeding

• MRI without contrast: No concerns, continue breastfeeding normally
• MRI with contrast: A tiny amount of gadolinium passes into breast milk (less than 0.04%)
• Most doctors say it's safe to continue breastfeeding
• If you're concerned, you can "pump and dump" breast milk for 24 hours after contrast

Diabetes

• If you take insulin or diabetes medication, your doctor may adjust your dose if you're fasting
• Monitor your blood sugar carefully if fasting
• Tell the MRI staff if you feel your blood sugar dropping

Don't be afraid to call the imaging center and ask:

1. Do I need to fast? If so, for how long?
2. Can I take my regular medications?
3. Should I avoid caffeine or alcohol beforehand?
4. Will I be having contrast? Do I need an IV?
5. How long will the scan take?
6. Can I bring someone with me into the room?
7. Do you have an open MRI option if I'm claustrophobic?
8. What if I need to use the restroom during the scan?
9. When will my doctor receive the results?
10. Is there anything else I should bring or prepare?

1. Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing—it saves time and hassle
2. Follow fasting instructions exactly—rescheduling is worse than being a bit hungry
3. Remove ALL metal—including piercings you might forget
4. Practice holding your breath if you know breath-holds will be required
5. Use the restroom before—you'll be lying still for 30-60 minutes
6. Ask about anti-anxiety medication if you think you'll need it
7. Bring music or a podcast if the center allows it
8. Communicate with the technologist—they want you to be comfortable
9. Stay as still as possible—it prevents having to repeat the scan
10. Plan something nice for afterward—you've earned it!

Preparing for an abdominal MRI is mostly about removing metal and following fasting instructions. Once you understand the basics, it's straightforward—and remember, the scan itself is painless and provides your doctor with incredibly detailed information about your health.

You've got this. Focus on why you're doing this: getting answers, protecting your health, and moving forward with the right information to feel better.

Related articles on WellAlly:

• MRI vs CT Scan for Abdomen: Which Do You Need?
• Understanding Your MRI Results
• Claustrophobia and MRI: How to Get Through It
• What Does Contrast Dye Do?