A: There are various preparations required depending on your exam

• ABDOMEN (includes studies of the GALL BLADDER, PANCREAS, SPLEEN, LIVER, KIDNEYS and AORTA).If your appointment is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after 8 p.m. the night before. If your appointment is in the afternoon, for breakfast you may eat dry toast, black tea, black coffee, juice up to 9 a.m. Nothing to eat or drink after that. These instructions are important as we require you to have an empty stomach.

• PELVIS including TRANSVAGINAL (UTERUS, OVARIES BLADDER) and PREGNANCY (OBSTETRICAL)You must have completed drinking 1 hour before your appointment. You must drink 32 oz./1 litre, (4 large glasses) of fluids. This can include coffee, tea, juice, water, etc. not milk. Do not go to the washroom. You must have a full bladder for this examination. We will try to examine you as soon as possible on arrival so that you will not have to be uncomfortable for too long. Eat the meal nearest your examination – There is no reason not to eat.

• ABDOMEN and PELVIS examinations COMBINEDDo not eat anything 12 hours prior to the examination. Finish drinking 32 oz. (one litre) of water, and ONLY water one hour before your examination. Do not go to the washroom.

• ECHOCARDIOLOGY (HEART), NECK (THYROID), DOPPLER, SCROTUM, BREASTNo preparation is necessary.

• PROSTATE WITH TRANSRECTAL32oz./1 litre, (4 large glasses) of water 1 hour before appointment. Do not go to the washroom. Take mild laxative the evening before. (PROSTATE ONLY OMIT LAXATIVE)

Q: Are there any preparations needed for Cardiovascular tests (ie: do I need to fast)?
A: There are no preparations required.

Q: How long does an exam take?
A: Typically, exams usually take between 30 minutes, depending on the specific test being requested.

Q: Will it hurt?
A: No. It won’t, this is painless procedure.