Patient Preparation for the Upper GI Exam

• You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to contrast material
• Women should always inform their physician or x-ray
  Technologist One trained in and using the techniques of a profession, art, or science.
  technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

To ensure the best possible image quality, your stomach must be empty of food.

• The day before your exam, have a Clear Liquid Diet for Supper. 
• Fast for at least 6 hours prior to your exam time (nothing to eat or drink. Including medications taken by mouth, especially antacids).
• Refrain from chewing gum and smoking after midnight on the day of the examination
• After the procedure, drink plenty of clear fluids.
• You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eye glasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.
• If your physician orders an ESOPHOGRAM only, the Esophagus will be evaluated and you will only need to fast 6 hours prior to the exam.

Patient Preparation for the Lower GI Tract Procedure:

You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies, especially to contrast material. Also inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
You will need to pick up a Bowel Evacuant Kit from Baton Rouge Radiology Group or from your physician several days before the scheduled exam.  This kit will instruct you as follows:

• On the day before the procedure you will be asked:
• follow a Clear Liquid Diet with no Red Dye Foods,
• drink only clear liquids like juice, tea, black coffee, cola or broth, and to avoid dairy products,
• 8pm– drink 10 oz Mag Citrated Chilled
• 10pm – take Laxative Tablets
• Drink Plenty of Water

On the day of Examination you will need to complete the Enema with the suppository 2 hours before your scheduled procedure.

• You can take your usual prescribed oral medications with limited amounts of water.
• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

Patient Preparation for the Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) Procedure:

Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your IVP study.

The day before your exam, you should:

• Have a clear liquid diet with no Red Dye Foods for Supper,
• Take a mild laxative (in either pill or liquid form) around 4pm
• Fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight before your exam. Many patients also receive iodine intravenously (injected into a vein) to help evaluate blood vessels and organs.  This contrast material will be injected into a vein shortly before or during your scan.
• If you are allergic to X-Ray IV contrast, you will need to be pre-medicated a few days before your test.  You will need to get a prescription from your physician or from our Radiologists to be taken before the test.
• You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.
• Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
• Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect.
• Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.