What to Expect on the Day of Your CT Scan
Your scan day is finally here. Let’s go through what will happen so you know what to expect. When you arrive, check in at the Radiology or Imaging Department reception. A radiographer will escort you, review the procedure, and address any final questions. You could be asked to change into a hospital gown if your clothes have metal. For scans with contrast, they will insert a small cannula (a thin, plastic tube) into a vein in your arm. It feels like a quick pinch. You will then lie on a bed that moves slowly through the large, doughnut-shaped scanner. The radiographer will operate the machine from the next room, but they are able to see and hear you the whole time through a window and intercom. You’ll need to keep very still. They may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds to avoid blurry images. The machine will whir and click as it works. That is normal. The actual scanning time is usually under a minute for each body part, though the whole appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. It’s straightforward and is painless.