By Kam Chhabra, MRT(N), CCPA — Physician Relations Manager, Vitacorp
An abdominal ultrasound is one of the most commonly ordered imaging exams, and also one that people often have questions about — especially when it comes to preparation. I want to walk you through the whole process so you come in ready and the exam goes smoothly.
What an Abdominal Ultrasound Examines
The term “abdominal ultrasound” covers a lot of territory. Depending on what your doctor ordered, your scan may include imaging of:
- Liver — size, texture, lesions, fatty change
- Gallbladder — gallstones, wall thickening, inflammation (cholecystitis)
- Bile ducts — dilation or obstruction
- Pancreas — size, masses, duct abnormalities
- Spleen — size and structure
- Kidneys — stones, cysts, hydronephrosis, masses
- Abdominal aorta — often checked for aneurysm (enlargement) as part of a complete abdominal scan
Your doctor’s requisition will specify which organs or areas to evaluate. In some cases it’s a full abdominal study; in others, it may be focused on a specific area like the right upper quadrant (where the liver and gallbladder sit) or the kidneys only.
The Most Important Part: Fasting
I’ll be direct about this because it’s the step that most often trips people up: you must fast for 6 to 8 hours before your abdominal ultrasound. This is not optional, and if you arrive having eaten recently, we may not be able to complete the exam.
Here’s why fasting matters. First, eating causes gas to build up in the digestive tract, and gas blocks ultrasound waves. The images become obscured and key structures may be impossible to see clearly — particularly the gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. Second, eating causes the gallbladder to contract and release bile. An empty, bile-filled gallbladder is essential for detecting gallstones — if the gallbladder has contracted after a meal, small stones can be missed entirely.
During the fast, you can drink water. Small sips are fine. Your regular medications are generally also fine to take — confirm with your prescribing doctor if you’re unsure. What to avoid is food, coffee, juice, milk, and anything else other than water.
If your exam is at 9am, that means nothing to eat after approximately 1am to 3am the night before. If it’s an afternoon appointment, you may be able to have a light breakfast very early in the morning and still fast adequately by noon. Call us at (416) 762-3818 and we’ll tell you what the timing looks like for your specific appointment.
What Happens During the Scan
You’ll lie on an exam table, usually on your back. Your technologist will lift your shirt to expose your abdomen, then apply a clear gel to the skin surface. The gel helps the probe make good contact and allows the sound waves to travel through without air interference.
The technologist moves the probe across your abdomen in different directions and positions, taking still images and measurements. They may ask you to take a deep breath and hold it for a moment — this brings the liver and gallbladder down slightly, making them easier to see. You might also be asked to roll onto your side for certain views of the kidneys.
There’s no pain. In some cases, pressing the probe firmly over an inflamed gallbladder or tender area may cause mild discomfort — this is normal and temporary. Let the technologist know if anything feels significantly uncomfortable.
The gel wipes off cleanly afterward with a tissue. Most abdominal scans take 30 to 45 minutes, though this varies depending on how many organs are being evaluated and how clearly they can be seen.
What the Technologist Can and Can't Tell You
This is something patients often ask about: “Can you tell me what you saw?” The short answer is no — not because we’re being cagey, but because the role of the sonographer is to acquire the images, and the role of the radiologist is to interpret them. It would be inappropriate (and potentially misleading) for a technologist to offer a diagnosis or even a preliminary reading during the scan.
What the technologist can do is explain what they’re looking at anatomically, answer general questions about the procedure, and make sure you’re comfortable throughout. The interpretation happens afterward, when a radiologist reviews all the images carefully and writes a formal report.
How Results Work
Your radiologist’s report is sent directly to your referring doctor — at Vitacorp, we aim for same-day turnaround. Your doctor receives the report and follows up with you, either by phone, at a scheduled appointment, or through a patient portal if they use one.
If your doctor needs results urgently — for example, for a patient with acute abdominal pain — let us know and we’ll flag it for expedited review.
Getting Here
We’re at Suite 603, 1243 Islington Ave, Etobicoke. If you’re on the Bloor-Danforth subway line, Islington Station connects directly to our building via a covered walkway. Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Walk-ins welcome — call ahead if you want to confirm same-day availability and get your preparation instructions squared away before you arrive.
— Kam, Vitacorp Islington Station
📍 Suite 603, 1243 Islington Ave, Etobicoke | 📞 (416) 762-3818 | Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
What Patients Are Saying
4.4 stars — 198 Google reviews
“Fantastic team of professionals! Clean facility! Best place for X-ray and ultrasound in Etobicoke.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide (141 reviews)
“I came in for an X-ray the other day and was taken right in. This is the fastest and most efficient walk-in X-ray clinic in Etobicoke I have been to. The staff is very professional.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cove Mechanical
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an abdominal ultrasound look at?
Liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and abdominal aorta — depending on what your doctor ordered.
Do I need to fast before an abdominal ultrasound?
Yes — 6 to 8 hours of fasting is required. Water and regular medications are generally fine. Do not eat, drink coffee, juice, or milk. Call (416) 762-3818 to confirm timing for your appointment.
Is it painful?
No. The probe moves over your skin surface with gel. You may feel mild pressure over sensitive areas, but there’s no needle, no radiation, and nothing internal.
Is abdominal ultrasound covered by OHIP?
Yes, when ordered by a licensed physician. Bring your health card and signed requisition.
Can I get an abdominal ultrasound same-day in Etobicoke?
Often yes — call (416) 762-3818 in the morning. Remember the 6–8 hour fasting requirement before you come in.
How long does it take?
Typically 30–45 minutes for a full abdominal study. Shorter if only a specific organ is ordered.
