Certain exams require a special dye, called contrast, to be delivered into your body before the test starts. Contrast helps highlight certain areas on x-rays. Let your doctor know if you have ever had a reaction to contrast. You may need to take medicines before the test in order to avoid another reaction.
If contrast is used, you may also be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4hours before the test.
Before receiving the contrast, tell your health care provider if you take the diabetic medication. You may to discontinue medicine temporarily.
If you are 70 years of age or older and scheduled to receive contrast, you will be required to have a blood test to check your kidney function prior to the procedure.

Before the x-ray, tell your health care team if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Metal can cause unclear images. You will need to remove all jewelry and may need to wear a hospital gown.

• Wear a two piece outfit to easily remove clothing from the waist up.
• Do not wear lotion, powder or deodorant. These may cause artifacts on the images.
• Try to schedule an appointment at the end of your menstrual cycle when your breasts are less sensitive.
• If you have sensitive breasts consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever an hour before your exam, but avoid aspirin products.
• If you have had a previous mammogram at another facility please ask them to send us your most recent images and report.

The technologist will explain the procedure, take a brief history, and assist you onto the examination table. A transmission gel will be applied to the area of the body that will be examined. A transducer will be moved slowly over the body part being imaged. The transducer sends a signal to an on-board computer which processes the data and produces the ultrasound image. It is from this image that the diagnosis is made.

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the morning of your procedure.
• Please arrive promptly at your scheduled appointment time.
• You will need to bring your driver’s license and your insurance cards.
• Bring a list of the medications that you are currently taking and a list of allergies.
• Please remove any jewelry.
• Your procedure time will vary based on the type of procedure you are having performed.
• You will be assigned a patient room while you are here in which a family member may stay while you are having your procedure performed.
• After your procedure, you will be in recovery phase until you are ready to be discharged.
• You will need to have a driver to take you home after your procedure.