Medically reviewed by: Dr. Bhakta Charan Sahoo, MD (Radiodiagnosis), Shri Medscan Imaging Center, Bhubaneswar.
If your doctor has scheduled you for an MRI scan, a little preparation goes a long way toward making the appointment smooth and comfortable. Most patients do not need to do anything unusual before an MRI, but a few simple steps, such as what you wear and what you tell your technologist, help the scan go as planned.
This checklist covers what to wear, how to handle jewelry and metal objects, when fasting is actually needed, what happens if your scan uses contrast, and what to expect on the day. Exact instructions can vary by body part and your doctor’s protocol, so always confirm the details when you book.
This guide has been prepared by the radiology team at Shri Medscan Imaging Center, a diagnostic centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, offering MRI scans with same-day reporting at two convenient locations. If you are still deciding between an MRI and a CT scan, our companion guide, MRI vs CT Scan: What’s the Difference?, explains how the two tests differ.
What Is an MRI Scan?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves, not radiation, to build detailed pictures of soft tissues such as the brain, spine, joints, muscles, and internal organs. During the scan, you lie on a padded table that slides into a tube-shaped machine. Because the machine relies on powerful magnets, certain preparation steps around jewelry and metal objects matter both for your safety and for getting clear images.
General MRI Preparation Guidelines
The steps below apply to most routine MRI scans. Your doctor or the Shri Medscan team will let you know if your specific scan needs anything different.
What to Wear
Clothing Guidelines:
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal fasteners, zips, hooks or underwires, or expect to change into a gown provided by the centre.
- Avoid clothing with metallic thread, sequins, or snap buttons, since these can interfere with the scan.
- Leave hairpins, metal hair clips, and wigs with metallic parts at home if possible.
Jewelry, Metal Objects and Implants
Metal & Implant Precautions:
- Remove all jewelry, watches, hairpins and metal accessories before the scan; lockers are provided for safekeeping.
- Tell the technologist about any implants or devices in your body, including pacemakers, cochlear implants, metallic heart valves, surgical clips, joint replacements, or old shrapnel and metal fragment injuries.
- Mention any tattoos, especially older ones, since some inks contain trace amounts of metal.
- Inform the team if you are or could be pregnant, since MRI is used cautiously during pregnancy and only when medically necessary.
Eating and Drinking Before an MRI
For most routine MRI scans, you can eat and drink normally beforehand.
Fasting is only needed for certain scans, commonly some abdominal MRI studies with contrast, so confirm this when booking rather than assuming you need to fast. If fasting is advised, it is usually for a few hours before the appointment, and plain water is generally still allowed unless you are told otherwise.
Continue taking your regular medications as prescribed unless your doctor has told you to do otherwise.
Special Instructions for MRI with Contrast
Some MRI scans use a contrast agent called gadolinium, given through a vein, to make certain structures easier to see. If your scan involves contrast, the technologist will ask about your kidney function, allergies, and any previous reactions to contrast dye. Patients with significant kidney problems may need a blood test beforehand, since this affects how safely the body processes the agent. Most patients tolerate gadolinium-based contrast well; discuss any specific concerns with your doctor or the imaging team before your appointment.
What to Expect During the Scan
On arrival, you will usually change into a gown if needed and complete a short safety screening form about implants and metal. You then lie on a padded table that slides into the MRI machine.
The scan is painless, though it makes loud knocking, humming and buzzing sounds, which are completely normal; earplugs or headphones are usually provided. Staying still helps produce clear images, so tell the technologist if you are uncomfortable. Depending on the body part, a scan can take 20 to 45 minutes, and some detailed studies up to an hour. Staff can usually see and hear you throughout, and many centres provide an intercom for you to communicate at any time.
After the MRI: What Happens Next
There is generally no recovery time after a routine MRI without sedation, and most patients resume normal activities, eating and driving right away unless told otherwise. If you received contrast, you may be advised to drink extra water afterward. Your images are reviewed by a radiologist, and reports at Shri Medscan are typically ready within 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor will discuss the findings and next steps at your follow-up visit. If you were given a sedative for anxiety, arrange for someone to drive you home rather than driving yourself.
Tips for Patients with Claustrophobia
An MRI machine can feel confining for some patients, but there are simple ways to make the experience more comfortable:
- Ask in advance about wide-bore or more open MRI machine configurations, if available at your centre.
- Practice slow, steady breathing, and consider closing your eyes as you enter the machine.
- Bring music, if permitted, or ask staff about relaxation techniques to help pass the time.
- Speak to your doctor beforehand if you feel very anxious; a short-acting sedative can sometimes be prescribed for the day of the scan.
- Let the technologist know at any point if you feel uneasy; you can always ask to pause or stop the scan.
MRI Scans at Shri Medscan, Bhubaneswar
Shri Medscan Imaging Center offers advanced 1.5T MRI scanning at two locations in Bhubaneswar, Odisha:
Damana Square, Chandrasekharpur
Damana Square, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar 751021
Phone: +91 7440191919
View location details and directions →AIIMS Road, Patrapada
AIIMS Road, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar 751019
Phone: +91 7440000180
View location details and directions →All scans are reviewed and reported by qualified radiologists, typically within 24 to 48 hours. We also offer CT scans, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and a full range of diagnostic services across Bhubaneswar and Odisha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to fast before an MRI scan?
Not usually. Fasting is generally only needed for certain scans, such as some abdominal MRI studies with contrast, so confirm this when you book rather than assuming.
Q2: Can I wear my regular clothes for an MRI?
Often yes, as long as it is loose, comfortable, and free of metal zips, hooks, or underwire. Many centres also provide a gown to change into.
Q3: What should I tell the technologist before my scan?
Mention any implants, pacemakers, metal in your body, tattoos, allergies, kidney problems, or the possibility of pregnancy, so the team can plan your scan safely.
Q4: Is MRI contrast dye safe?
Gadolinium-based contrast is generally well tolerated. Patients with significant kidney problems may need a blood test beforehand, and past reactions should be reported to the team in advance.
Q5: How long does an MRI scan take?
Most scans take 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the body part being examined. Some detailed studies can take up to an hour.
Q6: Can I drive myself home after an MRI?
Usually yes, since a routine MRI without sedation does not affect your ability to drive. If given a sedative for anxiety, arrange for someone else to drive you home.
Q7: Where can I get an MRI scan in Bhubaneswar?
Shri Medscan Imaging Center offers MRI scans at Damana Square, Chandrasekharpur (7440191919) and AIIMS Road, Patrapada (7440000180), with same-day reporting.
Have Questions About Your MRI? Call SHRI MedScan to Confirm Your Preparation Instructions
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Call Now: +91 7440191919 (Damana) | +91 7440000180 (AIIMS Road)
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Exact MRI preparation instructions can vary by scan type and by your doctor’s protocol. Always confirm your specific instructions with your doctor or with Shri Medscan at the time of booking.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Bhakta Charan Sahoo, MD (Radiodiagnosis), Shri Medscan Imaging Center, Bhubaneswar.