Preparing for an MRI: What to Wear, What to Avoid and Other Tips
If you have an upcoming MRI, you may have several questions about the procedure and what to expect. In this article, we’ll help you prepare for an MRI and give you insights into how you may feel after your appointment, questions to ask at your follow-up appointment and how to understand your results.
Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) is a non-invasive imaging procedure that provides detailed images of body anatomy.
MRI scans use a strong magnetic field and a radio frequency current to adjust the direction of the rotation of protons within living tissue. A radiologist can assess the images for irregularities or disease by capturing how these protons react. An MRI is sometimes used with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to give a more complete view of the function of the cells within your tissues.
Your doctor may send you for one of the following types of MRIs:
An MRI scan captures soft-tissues and structures of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, nervous system and organs, as well as muscles, ligaments and tendons. Sometimes, an MRI scan is combined with an intravenous contrast agent or dye. The IV contrast agent appears opaque in the MRI images and can indicate blood flow, damaged tissue and disease progression.
If you’ve never attended an MRI appointment before, you may be wondering what to wear on the day of the procedure. You’ll be asked to remove all your clothing before your MRI and given a hospital gown to change into, so it’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable items you can easily take on and off.
An MRI uses powerful magnets so you must remove any metal jewelry, including earrings before the scan. Let the technologist know if you have any piercings you can’t remove.
To ensure your MRI goes smoothly and you’re in and out of your appointment quickly, here are a few words of caution before your appointment.
Because MRI technology uses a strong magnetic field, any metal on or in your body will interfere with the magnets and the results of the MRI. Avoid bringing any metal objects into the MRI procedure room with you, including piercings, dental bridges or hearing aids.
Don’t forget to inform the MRI clinic and your doctor if you have:
An MRI requires you to lie still in an enclosed space, which can cause anxiety for some people. If you’re claustrophobic, you can request a sedative from your doctor to help you stay calm during your appointment. You can also request headphones from the MRI clinic to create a quieter environment during your scan.
An MRI exam can be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. Knowing how to prepare for an MRI and knowing what to expect at your appointment can go a long way in alleviating any pre-appointment stress. Read on to find out what to do before your MRI, what to expect during the procedure and how you’ll feel after the scan. Looking for more information? We’ve got some tips from Dr. Ania Kielar to help you feel completely prepared.
It’s a good idea to review your requisition form for instructions about your upcoming appointment the week prior to your scan. The website for the imaging clinic may have specific instructions about your MRI, or you can call them directly with questions.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask before your MRI exam so you’ll feel prepared and confident when you arrive:
If you’d like quick access to your MRI images and report, and help understanding what they mean, you can use PocketHealth to securely access your MRI results online, often before your follow-up appointment.
You should always attend your follow-up appointment with your doctor, but understanding your results ahead of time can allow you to enter that appointment confident and ready to ask informed questions.
Try to arrive for your MRI appointment a few minutes early so you can check in and receive any final instructions from the clinic. As soon as you arrive, you’ll check in and present your ID or health card and your requisition form to the receptionist. This is a good time to let the clinic know if you have any metal in your body, including tattoos, or to ask for headphones if you’d like to use them during the MRI.
Once your exam room is available; a magnetic resonance imaging technologist will escort you to a private change room where you’ll remove your clothing and jewelry and change into a hospital gown. You’ll be brought to a secure place where you can leave personal items, like your phone and purse, before being escorted to the MRI exam room. After you change, you should use the washroom before your scan and take a sedative if your doctor has prescribed one.
Once you’ve changed into a hospital gown, you’ll be taken to the MRI exam room. You’ll see the MRI machine, which is a long, cylindrical machine with a sliding table that moves into and out of the machine’s opening.
If you’re taking oral or IV contrast before the procedure, you’ll be given a dose now and then asked to lie down on the table. You can also put on your headphones at this time. The MRI technologist will leave the room for the scan, but you can communicate with them through speakers inside the MRI machine.
Once you’re lying on the table, it will move into the machine, and your MRI will begin. You will hear noise during the procedure but must remain still while the machine is on; you may also hear instructions about when to hold your breath and when to release it. You won’t be asked to hold your breath for longer than a few seconds.
Below, you can find common patient concerns during an MRI. Understanding these concerns can help you feel more prepared for your appointment.
During your exam but before you enter the MRI machine, you can ask the technologist any last-minute questions:
An MRI scan can take anywhere between 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the area being scanned and your medical history. If you have a more complex health condition, the scan may take longer to capture detailed images. For more details on how long an MRI takes and what to expect based on the area being scanned, check out our article.
Generally, patients can resume normal activities immediately after an MRI appointment. Remember to stand up slowly from the exam table so you don’t get dizzy and have a ride ready to take you home if you’ve taken a sedative.
If you’ve had contrast dye, drink plenty of water over the next day to help clear the solution from your system. Contrast dye does not typically cause allergic reactions, but if you notice any itching, redness or swelling, contact your doctor or call 911 if you’re having difficulty breathing.
You may have questions as you prepare for your MRI appointment. We’ve answered the most common questions below so you can arrive informed and ready to begin.
Yes, you can shower before your MRI. Do not apply any personal-care products, including deodorant, lotion or makeup, before your appointment because these can sometimes contain ingredients that interfere with the MRI’s ability to capture quality images.
Not always. Check your requisition form or contact the imaging clinic for specific instructions. In most cases you can drink coffee before your MRI. However, in some cases, like a cardiac MRI, you cannot have any caffeine for 24 hours prior to the MRI, including coffee, tea and chocolate.
Falling asleep during an MRI is actually quite common and in most cases is not cause for concern. However, in some cases you may need to be awake to respond to instructions from the technologist. When in doubt, ask the imaging clinic when you arrive for your appointment or the technologist who is overseeing the scan.
No. Certain fabrics can contain metal embedded into the fibers, so you’ll need to remove your socks before your MRI. You can ask the technologist if they have disposable foot coverings you can use during your MRI.
Generally, yes, you can wear a pad or tampon during your procedure, but for some scans, the clinic may provide you with a disposable sanitary pad from their supplies.
A patient accessing their MRI exam results using PocketHealth
You may receive your MRI results within a few hours or weeks, depending on where the scan was done and the reason for the scan. Your referring doctor will wait until your follow-up appointment to discuss the results of your MRI with you.
If you’d like to view your MRI imaging results quickly, often before your follow-up appointment, you can use PocketHealth to securely access and review your results as soon as possible.
Your MRI report may contain unfamiliar medical terminology, and the images may seem confusing at first glance. Always attend your follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss your MRI results in depth.
A radiologist will interpret the information from your MRI scan and compile it into a report for your referring doctor. Once your doctor receives your images and report from the radiologist, they will review the findings and schedule an appointment to discuss them with you.
At your follow-up appointment, you may want to ask your doctor questions to help you understand your results and next steps.
It can be difficult to come up with questions for your follow-up appointment, especially if you’re nervous about your results. PocketHealth MyCare Navigator can give you personalized insights about your results so you can feel confident at your follow-up appointment and ask informed questions about your next steps.
MRI results aren’t easy to decipher. If you want to read through your report and review your images before your follow-up appointment, Report Reader can help you to better understand the results by providing definitions for the medical terminology in your report.
Although your MRI report can help you begin to understand your results, your doctor can give you advice that considers your entire medical history. Your doctor will go over your results with you at your follow-up appointment.
Learn more about how to use PocketHealth to access and share your MRI records.
Updated: May 12, 2025
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