• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your ultrasound exam.
  • Remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined. You may be asked to wear a gown during the procedure.
  • Tell your doctor if you have had a barium enema or a series of upper GI (gastrointestinal) tests within the past two days. Barium that remains in the intestines can interfere with the ultrasound test.

Depending on the type of ultrasound you are having, other preparations are required.

  • For all Ultrasound exams of the abdomen, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas, you will need to fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight the night (or at least 8 hours) before your exam.
  • For ultrasound exams of the pelvis you will need to drink (finish) 32 ounces (4 to 6 glasses) of water one hour before the test to fill your bladder.
  • For ultrasound exams of the aorta, you will need to fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight the night (or at least 8 hours) before your exam.

For Renal (Kidney) ultrasound exams, the day before your exam, you will need to

  • follow a Clear Liquid Diet with no Red Dye Foods for Supper,
  • 4:00pm the day before take 2 Dulcolax Tabs (laxatives),
  • fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight the night (or at least 8 hours) before your exam