Ultrasound preparation
Duration of the visit
45 to 60 minutes
Duration of the examination (immobility required)
20 to 60 minutes
Abdominal ultrasound
If your exam takes place in the morning
Do not eat any solid or liquid food after midnight. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
If your exam takes place after 1 p.m.
You should be fasting for four to six hours before the exam. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
Do not eat fatty food in the morning (muffins, eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon, butters made of peanuts or nuts, butter or margarine). For example, you can eat a serving of oatmeal with fruit, bread with jam, or any other equivalent food if you have gluten intolerance.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
For children
Newborns to 2 years old: 4 hours fasting (if the child is not eating, they can drink 2 hours before)
3–13 years old: 4–6 hours fasting
14 years and up: same preparation as for an adult
You can take your medication, but with as little water as possible.
Pelvic ultrasound
You must have a full bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Make sure you drink four eight-ounce glasses (960 ml total) of water or juice 75 minutes before the exam and don’t urinate.
For children
Newborns to 2 years old: drink 2 hours before the exam
3–13 years old: do not empty bladder before the exam and drink 15 ounces (450 mL) of water about 30–60 minutes before the exam (varies by child)
14 years and up: same preparation as for an adult
Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound
If your exam takes place in the morning
Do not eat any solid or liquid food after midnight. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
You must have a full bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Make sure you drink four eight-ounce glasses (960 ml total) of water or juice 75 minutes before the exam and don’t urinate.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
If your exam takes place after 1 p.m.
You should be fasting for four to six hours before the exam. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
You must have a full bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Make sure you drink four eight-ounce glasses (960 ml total) of water or juice 75 minutes before the exam and don’t urinate.
Do not eat fatty food in the morning (muffins, eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon, butters made of peanuts or nuts, butter or margarine). For example, you can eat a portion of oatmeal with fruit, bread with jam, or any other equivalent food if you have gluten intolerance.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
For children
Newborns to 2 years old: drink 2 hours before the exam
3–13 years old: 4–6 hours fasting; do not empty bladder before the exam and drink 15 ounces (450 mL) of water about 30–60 minutes before the exam (varies by child)
14 years and up: same preparation as for an adult
You can take your medication, but with as little water as possible.
Thyroid, musculoskeletal, surface, Doppler and testicular ultrasound
No preparation is required before these ultrasounds. However, it is recommended to avoid the use of creams or perfumes before the examination.
Hepathic elastography
If your exam takes place in the morning
Do not eat any solid or liquid food after midnight. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
If your exam takes place after 1 p.m.
You should be fasting for four to six hours before the exam. However, you can take your medicine with a little water.
Do not eat fatty food in the morning (muffins, eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon, butters made of peanuts or nuts, butter or margarine). For example, you can eat a serving of oatmeal with fruit, bread with jam, or any other equivalent food if you have gluten intolerance.
Do not chew gum, as this will make you swallow air, which may affect the quality of the images.
You can take your medication, but with as little water as possible.
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