Ultrasound Cost and Ultrasound Procedures Information

Ultrasound Patient Preparation

Guidelines about eating and drinking before an Ultrasound exam vary at different facilities. Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your regular daily routine and take medications as usual. Let your doctor or technician know if you are allergic to latex or anything else prior to the test. Wear comfortable clothing and possibly even older clothing because of the gel which may be applied to your skin and may get on your cloths. For a transabdominal Ultrasound, you will be asked to drink several glasses of water or other liquid one to two hours before the procedure. Do not empty your bladder until the procedure is over. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, you should empty your bladder right before the procedure.

What to expect during and after an Ultrasound Procedure

An Ultrasound is a relatively painless procedure. The only discomfort may come from the cool gel which is applied to the area being scanned. Most Ultrasound procedures can be performed in your physician’s office or a stand alone imaging center, on an outpatient basis, or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and the facilities particular practices. The overall preparation and test will take approximately 30 minutes not including waiting time.

Prior to starting the procedure, you will be asked to remove any clothing or jewelry or other objects which may interfere with the scan. If you are required to remove all your clothing you will be given a hospital gown to wear. Once ready to start the Ultrasound, for a transabdominal Ultrasound the technician will get you to lie down on your back on the examination table and expose the area being studied. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, the technician will ask you to lie down on your back with your feet and legs supported as for a pelvic examination. For a breast Ultrasound, the technician will ask you to lie flat on your back with your arms held over your head. The technician will then apply a gel like substance to the area being studied. For a transabdominal and breast Ultrasound, the transducer will be pressed against the skin and moved around over the area being studied. For a transvaginal Ultrasound, a long thin transducer will be inserted into the vagina and gently turned and angled towards the area being studied. If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a "whoosh, whoosh" sound when the Doppler probe is used. Images of structures will be displayed on the computer screen. Images will be recorded on various media for the healthcare record.

Once the procedure has been completed, the gel will be removed. Your Ultrasound results will be interpreted by a trained doctor or technician and then discussed with you immediately following the procedure.