Question pre op

My doctor had me schedule an MRI with Dr. Honeycutt pre op.  Since I am so overweight it is just a precaution which I understand.  I am a very nervous person so I was hoping someone could tell me what this is , what they do and if it's painful?  I've never had any of these tests done, never really had a reason before now and so I am in the dark where all this concerns. 

An MRI is typically painless. I had one last year because I had such bad back pain they wanted to see what was going on.    I was so big the machine rubbed against my stomach (I was hoping not to get stuck in there).   I had my MRI at Summit and they have an open machine so basically you get put inside the machine and you lay still and you hear all kinds of pinging and dinging going on.    Dr. Houston knows his stuff so if he thinks you need one there has to be a good reason.  

Thank you so much for your reply!  Actually I have no history of any problems and have only been in the hospital once for the birth of my daughter.  I think it's because I've never had any of those kinds of tests and I am super overweight and heavier in certain areas that he just wanted to be sure. 

Thanks again and congrats on your weight loss!, you are doing awesome! 

(oh gosh I am normally a very nervous person and I worry about everything under the sun and the last line of your post is scaring me to death.  I have no history of any problems medically and am taking no medication and he only talked to me so could he have just looked at me and seen signs of a heart problem?   Sorry i am crazy most of the time lol)

 An MRI is usually done to get a good view of the internal structure of the body, as is has a much better contrast between different soft tissue areas in the body than a CT scan. Definitely sounds like you're being taken good care of to make sure there are no surprises during surgery.

See the link here for more info on MRIs, some may be a bit technical, but it'll give you a good idea about it >>>  Magnetic resonance imaging

Good luck with everything.

Thank you so much and thanks for the link!  I am headed there now!

Have you asked Dr. Houston why he wants you to have the MRI?  Call Holly or Elizabeth & tell them that you have been worried about it & that you want to know exactly why the MRI is being scheduled pre-op.  I am sure there is a perfectly great explanation....Dr. Houston is amazing & he will take great care of you!!

I have had multiple MRIs (a lifetime of sports & as I gained weight my knees were not happy with me!).....make sure that the MRI is open.  I am a freak about the "closed" MRI machines....typically they will give you a narcotic to 'calm you down' with the "closed" MRIs, but I still freak out...it's a total phobia of mine--some people are fine w/it.....but the open ones are really easy.....you will hear a lot of loud pinging & they will talk to you on earphones/mic system....it's really easy. No pain involved.....no biggie!

Congrats on your choice to have WLS & your choice of surgeon.....I am so happy I had Dr. Houston do my RNY---it's been such a great experience so far!!! xo, Micheala.

I'm with Micheala, MRI's are not a big deal, if you are not claustrophobic (like me) and then if you request an open machine it is not even a big deal then.  IF they do not have an open machine, ask if you can have the drip and you won't care if it is closed or open!

Good Luck and it is probably just a precaution, and it sounds like you will be a loser before you know it!

HUGS