Patient Preparation

For Women's Imaging

For Mammography

  • Do not use powder, deodorant, lotion or perfume in the breast or underarm area prior to the examination.
  • Notify the office if you are recently postpartum or breast-feeding. Please notify the office if there is any possibility of being pregnant.
  • Please bring any outside mammograms or breast ultrasounds for comparison.

For Breast Biopsy/Aspiration

  • For 1 week prior to the procedure, do not take any medications which may promote bleeding: aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc., or high dose vitamin E preparations. You may take Tylenol. If you are currently taking anticoagulants (coumadin or heparin), please contact the office and your referring physician for special instructions. Notify the office if you have taken prophylactic antibiotics for mitral valve prolapse or any other condition. Contact the office if there is any chance you could be pregnant. Please bring a sports bra for after the procedure. Even though most women who have a breast biopsy are found not to have cancer, you may want to have a relative or friend join you to lend support and to drive you home.

For Bone Density (DEXA)

  • On the day of the exam, eat normally, but do not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to the exam.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts, or buttons made of metal.
  • Inform your physician if you recently had a barium examination, have been injected with a contrast material for a CT scan or IVP, or received a radioisotope for a nuclear scan. Depending on the type of examination, you may have to wait up to 10-14 days before undergoing a DEXA examination.
  • Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if there is a possibility they are pregnant.

For Hysterosalpingogram

  • Please call our office on the first day of your next period to schedule an appointment for 2 days after the bleeding stops. No sexual intercourse during this time until after the procedure. No solid food for 1 hour prior to the study. For a hysterosalpingogram notify the office of any prior reaction to iodinated contrast (iodine dye).