What to Expect at Your Valley Radiology Imaging Appointment

Valley Radiology handles your imaging scan from check-in through results

Valley Radiology is a network of imaging centers that perform X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic imaging. When you arrive for your appointment, you'll check in at the front desk, complete or update paperwork, and then move to the imaging area where a technologist will position you for your specific scan. The appointment itself — the time you spend being scanned — usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on which imaging type your doctor ordered.

Your doctor ordered a specific type of imaging because they need to see inside your body to help diagnose or monitor a condition. Valley Radiology centers have the equipment and trained staff to perform that scan safely and produce clear images. A radiologist (a doctor who specializes in reading medical images) will review your images after the scan and send a report to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you.

Key Takeaways

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in and complete any required paperwork or consent forms.
• Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing or be prepared to change into a gown, depending on which body part is being scanned.
• Tell the technologist about any metal implants, pacemakers, or pregnancy before the scan begins.
• The scan itself is painless, but you must stay still and follow breathing instructions to get clear images.
• Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours, and your doctor will contact you to discuss them.

What to bring and wear to your appointment

Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and any paperwork your doctor's office gave you — usually a prescription or referral form that explains what imaging your doctor ordered. If you have previous imaging from another facility (older X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans), bring those too; they help the radiologist compare and spot changes.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal. Metal zippers, snaps, underwire bras, and belt buckles can interfere with imaging quality, especially MRI. If you're wearing something with metal, you'll be asked to change into a hospital gown. For X-rays and ultrasounds, you may be able to keep your clothes on if they don't cover the area being scanned. Ask when you call to confirm your appointment time.

Medical information you need to tell the technologist

Before your scan, the technologist will ask about metal in or on your body. This includes pacemakers, cochlear implants, metal plates or screws from surgery, shrapnel, tattoos with metallic ink, and permanent eyeliner. If you have any of these, tell them immediately — some metal is safe for MRI and some is not, and the technologist needs to know before the scan starts.

If you are or might be pregnant, tell the technologist. X-rays and CT scans use radiation, and pregnancy changes whether those scans are safe. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is safe in pregnancy. If you're breastfeeding and need contrast dye (a liquid injected into your vein to make certain structures show up better on the image), ask the radiologist whether you need to stop breastfeeding temporarily after the scan.

If you have kidney disease or diabetes, mention it before the scan. Some contrast dyes can affect kidney function, and your doctor may have ordered blood work beforehand to check whether contrast is safe for you. If you haven't had that blood work, tell the technologist now so they can check your chart or contact your doctor.

What happens during the scan itself

The technologist will position you on the scanning table or in front of the imaging equipment. For an X-ray, you'll stand or lie still while the machine takes a picture — it takes seconds. For an ultrasound, the technologist will apply gel to your skin and move a small handheld probe over the area being scanned; this takes 15 to 30 minutes. For an MRI, you'll lie on a table that slides into a tube-shaped machine; the machine makes loud knocking and buzzing sounds, which is normal. For a CT scan, you'll lie on a table that moves through a donut-shaped machine in short bursts.

During any scan, you must stay still. Movement blurs the images and means the scan may need to be repeated. The technologist will give you specific breathing instructions — sometimes "breathe normally," sometimes "hold your breath" for a few seconds. Follow these exactly. If you feel anxious in enclosed spaces, tell the technologist before the scan; they can explain what will happen step by step, and some centers offer headphones or music to help you stay calm.

If contrast dye is part of your scan, the technologist will insert an IV (a small needle in your arm or hand) before the scan. You may feel warmth or a metallic taste in your mouth when the dye enters your bloodstream — this is normal and passes quickly. Tell the technologist if you feel dizzy, have trouble breathing, or notice a rash; these are rare but need immediate attention.

Fasting and preparation before your appointment

Whether you need to fast (avoid food and drink) depends on which scan you're having. For abdominal ultrasounds, you typically fast for 6 to 8 hours beforehand so the gallbladder and other organs are easier to see. For CT scans of the abdomen, fasting is often required. For X-rays, MRIs of the head or spine, and most other scans, fasting is not necessary.

When you schedule your appointment, ask whether fasting is required. If your appointment is early in the morning and fasting is needed, you can usually have water and take regular medications with a small sip of water. If you take diabetes medication and are fasting, ask your doctor whether to take your usual dose or adjust it. Write down any special instructions and keep them with your appointment reminder.

After your scan: results and next steps

You can usually leave immediately after the scan. The images go to a radiologist, who reviews them and writes a report. This typically takes 24 to 48 hours, though urgent scans (like those for chest pain or head injury) may be read within hours. The report is sent to your doctor's office, and your doctor will contact you to discuss what the images show and what happens next.

Do not assume no news is good news. If you haven't heard from your doctor within a few days, call their office and ask about your results. You have the right to request a copy of your images and the radiologist's report; Valley Radiology can provide these on a CD or by secure electronic transfer. Some patients bring a copy to a second opinion appointment or to share with a specialist.

What to do if you need to reschedule or cancel

If you need to change your appointment time, call Valley Radiology as soon as you know. Most centers ask for at least 24 hours' notice. If you cancel close to your appointment time, you may be charged a cancellation fee, though policies vary by location. If you're running late, call ahead; the center may be able to fit you in, or you may need to reschedule.

If you become ill before your appointment (fever, cough, or other symptoms), call to reschedule. Imaging centers follow infection control protocols, and staff need to know if you might be contagious so they can prepare the room and protect other patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat or drink before my appointment?

It depends on the type of scan. Abdominal ultrasounds and some CT scans require fasting for 6 to 8 hours. Most other scans do not. When you schedule, ask whether fasting is required for your specific scan. If it is, you can usually drink water and take medications with a small sip of water.

Will the scan hurt?

No. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT scans are painless. You may feel pressure from the ultrasound probe or mild discomfort from lying still in one position, but the scan itself does not cause pain. If contrast dye is used, you may feel warmth or a metallic taste, which is normal.

How long does it take to get results?

A radiologist reviews your images and sends a report to your doctor within 24 to 48 hours for routine scans. Urgent scans (chest pain, head injury, stroke symptoms) may be read within hours. Your doctor will contact you to discuss the results. If you don't hear back within a few days, call your doctor's office.

What if I'm claustrophobic and worried about the MRI machine?

Tell the technologist before the scan. They can explain exactly what will happen, play music or a podcast through headphones, or use a wide-bore (more open) MRI machine if available. Some centers offer sedation for very anxious patients, though this requires a doctor's order and someone to drive you home.

Can I bring someone with me to the appointment?

Yes. A family member or friend can come to check-in and wait in the waiting room. They cannot go into the scanning room unless you need help due to mobility or cognitive issues, in which case ask the technologist beforehand. If you receive sedation, you must have someone drive you home.