How do you prepare for your Fluoroscopic Exam?

• You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appoint and to bring your referral. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please call 24 hours in advance. Let us know what medications you take, including non-prescription medicines and supplements.
• Tell us if you are or may be pregnant or are breastfeeding.
• If you are scheduled for arthrographic fluoroscopy and are taking Coumadin (a blood thinning medication), arrange with your doctor's permission to stop taking the medication 5 days before your appointment. Ask your physician to arrange an INR (International Normalized Ratio) blood test before your appointment. If the result is above 1.5, you will need to reschedule your appointment. Please bring your blood test results with you.

Special instructions for GI/ small bowel exams

• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum after midnight the night before your exam. You may brush your teeth, but avoid swallowing any water.
  

Special instructions for barium enema and air contrast enema exams

• Pick up a prep kit from your local pharmacy scheduled before your appointment. Use the kit, following the instructions that come with it.
• For children under 12, please call our office for special instructions.
• If you have a colostomy, call our office for special instructions.

What will you experience during your Fluoroscopy? 

On arrival

• A technologist will take you to the exam room, ask you some medical questions, and explain what you can expect during your test.
• Depending on what part of your body is being examined, you may need to remove some of your clothing and put on a gown.
• You will need to remove any metal (including necklaces and body piercings) or plastic from the part of your body being examined.

During your Fluoroscopy

• The technologist will position you sitting, standing, or lying on the exam table and the Fluoroscopy will be conducted.
• You will receive special instructions about preparing for the exam and receiving contrast material before your exam.

After your Fluoroscopy

• You can leave immediately after your Fluoroscopy.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, for the next 24 hours to help flush the contrast material from your body.
• The radiologist will review your Fluoroscopy and send the results to your physician. Urgent findings will be called or faxed in to your physician.