What to Wear to Your Imaging Appointment in Ajax

Three simple rules cover most imaging appointments: wear two pieces rather than one, keep metal to a minimum, and skip anything on your skin that your instructions tell you to avoid. If you remember nothing else, those three will carry you through an X-ray, an ultrasound or a mammogram without fuss.

Of course, each exam has its own small quirks. A bone density scan cares about the zipper on your trousers. An ultrasound of the neck goes better without a turtleneck. A stress test needs shoes you can walk briskly in. This guide goes exam by exam so you can pick an outfit with confidence before you head to our clinic in Ajax, and it explains the reasons behind each suggestion so they feel less like arbitrary rules.

Why your clothes matter at all

It can seem strange that a modern medical test would be affected by what you are wearing. The reasons are practical.

X-ray and bone density scans pass a beam through your body to create an image. Metal, and some dense materials, block that beam far more than skin and soft tissue do. A zipper, an underwire or a button with a metal core can show up as a bright shape on the picture, and if it sits over the area being examined, it can hide exactly what your provider wants to see.

Ultrasound works by placing a transducer and gel directly on your skin. Clothing does not interfere with the sound waves, but it does need to be moved out of the way, so the easier your clothes are to adjust, the smoother the exam.

Mammography is sensitive to tiny particles. Some deodorants, antiperspirants and powders contain substances that can appear on the image as small white specks.

With those three ideas in mind, the rest of the advice falls into place.

X-ray

Our walk-in X-ray service is set up for quick visits, and the right outfit helps keep it that way. Depending on the area being examined, you may be asked to remove jewellery or metal items, and for some exams you may be given a gown.

Think about which part of your body is being imaged:

Chest and upper back

• A bra with an underwire or metal hooks may need to come off, so a soft, wire-free option or a sports bra without metal parts can save a change.
• Necklaces and pendants should be removed.
• A plain cotton t-shirt is ideal.

Spine, hips and pelvis

• Jeans often have metal rivets, buttons and zips. Track pants, leggings or other elastic-waist trousers usually avoid them.
• Leave belts at home, or be ready to take yours off.
• Empty your pockets of keys, coins and phones before you go into the room.

Hands, wrists and arms

• Rings, bracelets and watches will likely need to come off. If a ring is tight, mention it to the technologist.
• Sleeves that roll up easily are helpful.

Head and neck

• Earrings, hair clips, bobby pins and hair ties with metal pieces may need to be removed.
• You may be asked to take off glasses or removable dental pieces for some views.

Our walk-in X-ray guide covers what to bring and how the visit works, so this article sticks to the clothing side.

Ultrasound

For ultrasound, the goal is easy access to the area being scanned. For many scans you can stay mostly dressed and simply lift or lower clothing, and the sonographer will often tuck paper or a towel along the edge of your clothes to keep gel off them.

Abdomen and pelvis

A top that lifts easily and bottoms with a waistband that can be lowered a few centimetres are perfect. Dresses and jumpsuits are the most awkward choice here, because the whole garment has to move to reach your abdomen.

Neck and thyroid

Choose an open neckline. A t-shirt or a collared shirt that unbuttons at the top works well. Leave scarves, chokers and long necklaces at home.

Shoulders, elbows and wrists

For a musculoskeletal scan of the shoulder, a sleeveless top or tank worn under a cardigan or sweater lets you uncover the joint without removing everything. For elbows and wrists, loose sleeves that push up are enough.

Legs, knees and ankles

If you are having a leg ultrasound, including a vascular scan of the veins or arteries, loose trousers that roll up easily, or shorts worn under looser trousers, make life simpler. Skinny jeans and tight leggings can be hard to push above the knee. For scans that cover the whole leg, a gown or sheet may be offered.

Pregnancy scans, including 3D/4D

For obstetrical ultrasounds and elective 3D/4D sessions, a two-piece outfit with a top you can lift over your bump and stretchy maternity bottoms is the comfortable choice. Some families like to wear something they will be happy seeing in photos of the day, too.

Mammography

Two points matter on the day of a mammogram: do not use deodorant, antiperspirant or talcum powder on your chest or underarms, and wear a two-piece outfit rather than a dress where possible, since you will undress from the waist up.

If it is your first mammogram, our article on preparation and comfort tips goes into more detail about the whole visit, including what to bring and how compression feels.

Bone mineral density

A bone mineral density scan uses low-energy X-rays to measure bone, typically at the hip and lower spine, so metal near those areas is worth avoiding. Clothing without zippers or metal fasteners is recommended when possible. Elastic-waist trousers and a plain top with no metal decoration are a good combination.

One preparation step for this exam is not about clothing, but it is easy to forget on the same morning: do not take calcium supplements or iron tablets on the day of the exam until after your scan. Bring your health card and requisition, too.

Heart tests with Durham Cardiology

The cardiology team’s instructions, set out on the Durham Cardiology page for each test, include some clothing and skin-care points:

• Echocardiogram and Holter monitor: wear comfortable clothing and do not apply cream or lotion to your upper body. Small sensors or the ultrasound probe need clean skin on the chest.
• Stress test and stress echocardiogram: wear comfortable clothing and running shoes, and avoid cream or lotion on your upper body. These tests involve walking on a treadmill, so dress the way you would for a brisk walk.

Arriving 15 minutes early is also part of the cardiology team’s instructions for several of these tests.

Dressing for the season

Patients come to us from across Ajax, Pickering and Whitby in every kind of weather, and a little planning helps.

In winter

An Ajax winter morning by the lake can be bitter, and it is tempting to bundle up in everything you own.

• Wear layers you can remove, so you are not changing out of a heavy sweater in the exam room.
• Boots that slip on and off easily are handy if you need to change.
• Leave a scarf and hat in a bag rather than wearing layers of accessories into the exam room.

In summer

• Light, two-piece outfits are ideal.
• If you are having a mammogram, plan ahead for skipping deodorant on a warm day, perhaps by booking an earlier time.
• Bring a light layer for waiting areas, which can feel cool when it is hot outside.

What to leave at home

Some items are simply easier left behind:

• Valuable jewellery. If it might need to come off, it is safer at home than in a pocket.
• Extra accessories. Watches, fitness trackers, hair clips and belts all add steps.
• Piercings you cannot remove. You do not need to worry, but do mention them to the technologist before an X-ray so they can plan the image.
• Body lotion, on the relevant days. Before a mammogram or cardiology test, check the skin-care instructions above.

Comfort counts too

Practical clothing is not only about the images. Feeling comfortable makes it easier to relax, hold still and follow instructions such as “breathe in and hold”. A few small choices help:

• Socks. Exam rooms can feel cool, and a warm pair of socks is welcome if you are asked to remove your shoes.
• Shoes you can manage easily. If bending is difficult for you, slip-on shoes save effort when changing.
• Clothes that are easy to get back into. After an ultrasound, a little gel can linger on the skin even after it is wiped away, so soft, washable fabrics are a better choice than delicate ones.
• Something you feel like yourself in. Medical visits can make people feel exposed. Wearing clothes you are comfortable in can make the whole visit feel calmer.

If you are ever unsure whether something you are wearing will be a problem, ask. Staff would much rather answer a quick question than repeat an image.

Your grab-and-go list

Before you leave the house, run through this list:

1. Two-piece outfit, with a top that lifts or opens easily
2. Elastic-waist bottoms or trousers without metal rivets for X-ray and bone density
3. Wire-free bra if your chest or upper back is being imaged
4. Minimal jewellery, and nothing you would hate to misplace
5. No deodorant or powder for mammography; no lotion on the upper body for cardiology tests
6. Running shoes for a stress test
7. Health card and requisition, plus any preparation instructions you were given

Our Ajax clinic is at Unit 102, 300 Rossland Road East, with free parking and ground-floor access. If you have a question about clothing or preparation for your exam, call us at 905-426-3111, or request an appointment online and our team will go over everything with you when they confirm your time.