Your First MRI Scan: Everything You Need to Know

Your first MRI scan can feel daunting — a loud machine, a narrow tunnel, 30+ minutes of lying still. But once you know what actually happens at each stage, most of the anxiety disappears. This guide walks you through the entire process from booking to results, step by step, so there are no surprises.

Booking Your Scan

Do I need a GP referral?

For a private MRI through Lola Health, no. You can book directly — choose your scan type, body area, preferred centre, and appointment time. No referral letter, no GP appointment, no waiting list. For an NHS MRI, you will need a referral from your GP or hospital specialist.

How do I choose the right scan?

If you know which body area needs scanning (knee, brain, spine, etc.), select it directly. If you're unsure:

• Think about your symptoms — Where exactly is the pain, numbness, or swelling? That determines the scan area.
• Check any referral letters — If a doctor has suggested an MRI, the letter will specify the area and clinical question.
• Screening without symptoms? — A full body MRI covers the brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and bones in one session.

How do I choose a centre?

Through Lola Health, you can choose from over 150 UK centres. Consider:

• Location — Pick somewhere convenient. You don't want a stressful journey before the scan.
• Availability — Appointments are often available within 1-5 working days.
• Scanner type — If you're claustrophobic or a larger build, look for wide-bore or open scanners.
• Price — Prices vary between centres, even for the same scan.

Preparing for Your Scan

One week before

• Read your booking confirmation and any preparation instructions carefully
• Complete any online safety questionnaires sent to you
• If you have metal implants (joint replacements, plates, screws, pacemaker), locate your implant card or documentation
• If you're anxious or claustrophobic, speak to your GP about a mild sedative (typically diazepam 5-10mg). You'll need someone to drive you home if you take it.

The night before

• Check whether you need to fast (only required for certain abdominal and pelvic scans — your booking confirmation will say)
• Lay out comfortable, metal-free clothing: cotton t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms, slip-on shoes. No zips, underwire bras, or metal buttons.
• Set your alarm to arrive 15-20 minutes before your appointment time

On the morning

• Take your normal medications unless specifically told not to
• Eat and drink normally (unless fasting). Staying hydrated is especially helpful if you're having contrast.
• Skip eye makeup — some mascaras and eyeliners contain iron oxide particles that can interact with the magnetic field
• Remove all jewellery and piercings at home (safer than risking leaving them in a locker)
• Bring: photo ID, booking reference, implant card (if applicable), list of current medications

Arriving at the Centre

When you arrive (15-20 minutes early), here's what happens:

1. Check-in at reception — Show your ID and booking reference. Straightforward.
2. Safety questionnaire — If you haven't completed it online, you'll fill in a form covering your medical history, implants, allergies, pregnancy status, and any previous reactions to contrast. Answer honestly — this protects you.
3. Change if needed — If your clothing contains metal, you'll be given a gown. Your belongings (phone, keys, wallet, watch) go into a secure locker. Nothing metal enters the scanning room.
4. Meet the radiographer — They'll review your safety form, explain what's going to happen, answer your questions, and check you're comfortable. This is a good time to mention any concerns — claustrophobia, specific anxieties, or anything you're unsure about.

The Scan Itself

Getting into position

The radiographer guides you onto the scanner table (a padded bed that slides into the machine). You'll lie on your back for most scans. Foam pads, wedges, or light straps may be used to help you stay in the right position — they're for comfort and image quality, not to restrain you.

A "coil" — a curved plastic device shaped for the body part being scanned — may be placed over or around the area. This is like an antenna that picks up the signals your body emits during the scan.

You'll be given:

• Ear protection — Foam earplugs and/or headphones. The scanner is loud (80-110 dB). Ear protection is mandatory.
• An alarm button — A squeeze ball or buzzer that you hold in your hand. Press it at any time to stop the scan and bring the radiographer to you. You are always in control.
• Music option — Most centres offer music through headphones. Some let you bring your own playlist.

Entering the scanner

The table slides smoothly into the scanner bore (the cylindrical opening). The bore is open at both ends — you are never sealed inside.

Depending on the scan:

• Head/brain scans — You go in head-first. Your head is inside the scanner, but your legs may be outside.
• Knee/foot/ankle scans — You go in feet-first. Your head stays near the opening or outside entirely.
• Spine/abdomen — Either direction, depending on the specific region.

Claustrophobia tip: Close your eyes before the table moves and keep them closed throughout. Without the visual cue of the enclosed space, most people find it much more manageable. Focus on your breathing — slow in through the nose, out through the mouth.

During scanning

You'll hear a series of loud mechanical noises — knocking, buzzing, humming, tapping — in different patterns. Each pattern is a "sequence" lasting 2-7 minutes. Between sequences, there's a brief quiet pause when the radiographer may talk to you through the intercom ("You're doing well, three more sequences to go").

Key things to know:

• Stay as still as possible — Movement during a sequence blurs the images and may mean repeating it. Between sequences, small adjustments are fine.
• Breathe normally — Unless the radiographer gives specific breathing instructions (sometimes needed for abdominal scans).
• It is completely painless — You may feel mild warmth or slight vibration. Both are normal.
• You can stop at any time — Squeeze the alarm button. The table slides out. No questions asked.
• Total time — Most single-area scans take 20-40 minutes. Full body scans take 60-90 minutes.

If contrast is needed

Some scans require gadolinium contrast to highlight certain tissues. A small cannula (like a blood test needle) is inserted into your arm or hand before or during the scan. The contrast is injected partway through — you may feel a brief cool or warm sensation and occasionally a fleeting metallic taste. Additional sequences are then run with the contrast on board. The whole contrast process adds about 10-15 minutes.

After the Scan

• The table slides out and you can get up immediately
• If a cannula was used, it's removed and a small plaster applied
• Collect your belongings from the locker, change back into your clothes
• You can drive, eat, drink, and resume all normal activities straight away (unless you took sedation — in which case, no driving for 24 hours)
• If contrast was given, drink plenty of water over the next 24 hours to help your kidneys flush it out

Getting Your Results

A consultant radiologist (a specialist doctor with a minimum of 13 years' training) reviews your scan images and writes a detailed report. With Lola Health:

• Results are typically available within 7 working days
• Your report is sent directly to you
• You receive access to your scan images via a secure digital portal
• You can share results with your GP or any specialist
• If urgent findings are identified, the centre will contact you sooner

For help understanding your report, see our guides on how to read your MRI report and understanding your MRI results.

Common First-Timer Worries

"I'm claustrophobic — I won't be able to do it"

More people manage than expect to. Close your eyes, listen to music, focus on breathing. If standard scanners worry you, request a wide-bore (70cm) or open scanner. Sedation (diazepam from your GP) takes the edge off significantly. A companion can stay in the room with you. Read our full claustrophobia guide.

"What if they find something bad?"

Most MRI scans come back normal or show only minor, age-related findings. If something unexpected is found, it's far better to know about it now — early detection is the entire point. The radiologist will clearly explain any findings and recommend next steps. See our what happens next guide.

"Can I fail the scan?"

No. If images are blurred by movement, the radiographer simply repeats the sequence. If you genuinely cannot complete the scan (too anxious, too much pain to lie still), you can reschedule with different arrangements — sedation, a different scanner type, or a shorter protocol. There's no "pass" or "fail."

"Will it hurt?"

The scan itself is completely painless. The only potential discomfort is from the contrast cannula insertion (a brief sharp scratch, identical to a blood test). Lying still for 30+ minutes on a hard table can be uncomfortable for some — especially with back pain — but padding and positioning help.