Before your MRI, it's important to maintain your regular routine when it comes to eating, drinking, and medicating. Avoid doing anything out of the ordinary such as getting new piercings or starting new medications. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding eating and drinking before the scan. In some cases, you may need to stop eating or drinking 1-4 hours ahead of your appointment. For an MRI with contrast, arrive 15-30 minutes early to ingest the contrast solution. Try to limit eating and drinking 4 hours before the appointment for optimal image clarity.