Scared about abdominal ultrasound- help!

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I have a big fear of doctors and hospitals. I have to go for an abdominal ultrasound tomorrow to check my liver due to some medication I take.

I’m overweight and have a strange B-shaped stomach due to a different medical issue. I’m really nervous even though I know it’s silly.

I’m worried I’ll be too fat for them to see properly.

I also don’t know what to wear. I have work in the morning so have to be semi-smart. Usually a dress and tights or skirt, top and tights. How much do I need to take off?

Thanks in advance for any advice or calming words.

You won't need to take off much, they will have you pull up your top and tuck it under your bra, and pull your waistband down to your pubic bone area (top of bikini line).
A loose elasticated waist will work best, not something you really care about as it may get a little ultrasound gel on it.

Don't worry, the sonographer will have seen every size and shape of abdomen, and even very very overweight people can and do get abdominal scans.

The liver sits reasonably high up in the abdomen anyway so you may not even have to pull your waistband down that much unless they are doing a full abdomen scan of all your organs including ovaries/uterus etc.

Good luck, you will be fine.

I had an abdominal ultrasound recently. The practitioner was kind and professional. They will have seen all shapes and sizes - we all inhabit different bodies. Wear something you can lift up (top) and lose at the waist (bottom). I had tracky bottoms and a t shirt. Remember they’ll use gel. Although they try not to get it on clothes, something like a t shirt washes easily.
I was completely comfortable and the practitioner chatted as she went to ease any nerves. She scanned my whole tummy, then popped me on my side so she could scan the area from the back.
all done and dusted quickly and with no drama.

good luck!

Wear something that can be lifted up - top with skirt/tights/trousers. You won’t need to get undressed as it’s just the top of your abdomen they need access to. They’ll just lift your shirt slightly. Do wear things that won’t be ruined by the gel though, so not your best cashmere.

So these scans are done by people who do them all day every day. The sonographer will have seen EVERYTHING before. Your weight or shape won't be something they will bat and eyelid at.

They're really respectful. They will try keep you comfortable. You won't need to remove much - usually tuck into bra and pants job. If worried about work clothes (more getting gel on them than anything) can you take a set of more stretchy clothes and change in the bathroom? If they don't need to see outside landmarks you could ask if they can drape something over the top but tbh that's probably more faff and will make things take longer.

It really will be fine x

I have AF and was given the astra zeneca vaccine which left me having a stroke. If you have AF you can have a heart scan to check whether you have clots
I changed drs who have arranged various scans and I'm having a heart scan early next month to check if I have clots or need any heart operations. So I'm a bit nervous about the scan, more about the results they find than the actual scan. I've had a scan on my rotator cuff to see what damage I have on my muscles. I often do the exercises tgey show on Mornibg Live based on Strictjy dance moves which aren't so different from the exercises the physio sets up for you to do. I can walk reasonably well but eed to ve careful when it's slippery on wet leaves etc. But keeping moving is the thing.

I have a phobia of doctors too. I have has lots of these and they are not as bad as you'd think. Totally painless, not uncomfortable. I was asked to roll up my T-shirt and keep my bra on.

Thank you so much everyone- your replies really reassured me and it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought.

Thank you for not making me feel stupid!

I have a "b" shaped belly too, turns out the bulging at the top is 2 hernias!

I even know the name of the person doing my heart scan and I've been to the surgery previously. It's very high tech as was the surgery where I had my cataracts done shortly after Covid-19. I've had post stroke eye checks done and they were fine for which I was very grateful. The new scans they do now are less traumatic than the puff in the eye. When I start any eye test it always reminds me of a balloon 🎈 over the Headland hotel in nearby Newquay