How to Prepare for an MRI Scan: UAE Patient Guide

Start With Your Referral

An MRI is a specialist scan, so most partner imaging centres in Dubai and Sharjah will ask for a referral letter from your doctor before booking. This isn't bureaucracy for its own sake — the referral tells the centre's radiologist exactly which body part and clinical question to focus on, which affects positioning, sequences, and sometimes whether contrast dye is needed.

If you're arranging a scan through MelioHealth, you can send over your referral when booking so the appointment is matched to the right protocol and location from the start. If you don't yet have one, your referring doctor is the right first stop before you look at appointment times.

What to Wear on Scan Day

Most centres provide a gown, but what you wear beforehand still matters. Choose loose, comfortable clothing without metal zips, hooks, underwire, or metallic thread — these can distort images or heat up in the scanner's magnetic field.

Leave jewellery, watches, hairpins, and belts at home if possible, since you'll need to remove them anyway before entering the scan room. Avoid makeup, deodorant, or hair products that list "metallic" ingredients on scan day, particularly for head or facial MRIs, as some formulations can interfere with image quality.

• Wear a simple T-shirt and joggers or leggings without metal fastenings

• Skip underwired bras — some centres provide a gown top instead

• Remove hearing aids, dentures with metal clasps, and body piercings beforehand

• Bring a spare hair tie rather than metal clips

Metal Implants and Devices: What You Must Disclose

This is the single most important safety step in MRI preparation. The scanner uses a strong magnetic field, so any metal implant, device, or fragment in your body needs to be disclosed and checked before you're screened.

Tell the booking team and the centre's radiographer about pacemakers, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, cardiac stents, surgical plates or screws, insulin pumps, IUDs, and any shrapnel or metal fragments from past injuries. Many modern implants are MRI-conditional, meaning they're safe under specific scanner settings, but the team needs the implant details — often from a card given at the time of surgery — to confirm this.

If you're not sure whether a device is MRI-safe, mention it anyway and let the centre's radiologist make that determination rather than assuming it's fine. Tattoos with older metallic-based inks are rarely a serious issue but are also worth flagging, as they can occasionally cause a warm sensation during scanning.

Eating, Drinking, and Medication Rules

Fasting requirements depend entirely on which body part is being scanned. An MRI of the brain, spine, or joints typically needs no fasting at all, while abdominal or pelvic MRIs — especially those involving contrast — may require a few hours without food beforehand.

Always confirm fasting instructions with the specific centre when you book, since protocols vary. If you're also having blood work done on the day of your MRI, this fasting guide for blood tests explains general fasting principles, though your MRI instructions should take priority for that appointment.

Take your regular medication as usual unless your referring doctor tells you otherwise. If contrast dye is planned, mention any known allergies, kidney problems, or previous reactions to contrast during booking so the centre can plan accordingly.

If You're Anxious About Enclosed Spaces

Claustrophobia during MRI is common and manageable. Many partner centres offer wide-bore scanners with a larger opening, which can reduce the feeling of confinement compared to older, narrower machines.

Ask about scheduling a scan at a quieter time of day, bringing a support person to sit in the waiting area, or using earplugs and music during the scan — most centres allow this since the machine is genuinely loud. Some also offer a brief walkthrough beforehand so you know what to expect from the noises and timing.

If anxiety is significant, speak to your referring doctor in advance. They may be able to prescribe a mild sedative to take before the appointment, which the centre can then plan around, including arranging for someone to drive you home afterward.

On the Day: A Quick Checklist

Arriving prepared makes the appointment faster and less stressful. Bring your referral letter, Emirates ID, any previous imaging discs or reports for comparison, and a list of current medications.

• Arrive 15–20 minutes early for registration and screening forms

• Bring implant cards or device details if you have any metal hardware

• Wear metal-free clothing or be ready to change into a gown

• Follow the fasting instructions given specifically for your scan type

• Ask about pricing in advance — MRI scans start from AED 1,000 in Dubai and AED 800 in Sharjah, with details in the MRI cost guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my own clothes for an MRI?

Sometimes, if they're free of metal zips, buttons, or underwire. Many centres still ask patients to change into a gown to be safe, especially for scans of the torso.

Do I need to remove all jewellery before an MRI?

Yes. Rings, watches, piercings, and hairpins must be removed before entering the scan room because metal can interfere with the magnetic field and image quality.

Is it safe to have an MRI with a metal hip or knee replacement?

Most modern orthopaedic implants are MRI-conditional and safe to scan, but you must tell the centre about the implant beforehand so the radiographer can confirm scanner settings.

How long does an MRI scan take?

This varies by body part and whether contrast is used, typically ranging from 20 to 60 minutes. The centre can give a more specific estimate based on your referral.

What if I feel too anxious to stay still in the scanner?

Tell the centre in advance. Options include wide-bore scanners, music, a support person in the waiting room, or a doctor-prescribed sedative arranged ahead of the appointment.

Prices in this guide are indicative, were checked on 2026-09-13, and vary by centre, body region and whether contrast is used. The final AED price is confirmed on WhatsApp before you book.

This article is general information for patients in the UAE, not medical advice. MelioHealth is a booking and referral service; it does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the guidance of your referring doctor and the licensed imaging centre or laboratory performing your test. MelioHealth is not an emergency service: in an emergency call 998 for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.