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Most ultrasound exams require no preparation, with a few exceptions: 1  For some ultrasound exams, such as of the gallbladder, your doctor may ask that you not eat or drink for up to 6 hours before the exam.
For the most part, ultrasound is considered a painless, non-invasive diagnostic tool. The procedure usually takes from 30 minutes to an hour. Most ultrasound scans can be performed with the transducer placed atop the skin, with the sound waves aimed at the organ or body part being tested. The patient is usually placed in a comfortable position that provides the ultrasound technician (sonographer) access to the part of the body being tested.