How Your Imaging Gets Scheduled — Two Paths

How your imaging is scheduled depends on where it will be done. Find the path that matches your situation.

Path A — Imaging at Advanced Urology

  • Our team handles everything — we schedule your appointment and obtain your insurance authorization.
  • We will contact you with your appointment date and time.
  • If authorization is delayed, we will update you and reschedule if needed.
  • You don't need to call anyone — just follow the preparation instructions below.

Path B — Imaging at an Outside Facility

  • If your imaging is done at another facility, you may call the facility yourself to book your appointment, or
  • You can wait for the imaging center to call you to schedule.
  • Please allow 24–48 hours for your order to be processed and faxed to the facility before you call.
  • The outside facility will obtain its own insurance authorization.
  • Bring your insurance card and a photo ID to your appointment.

Not sure which path applies to you? Call us at 678-344-8900 and we'll point you in the right direction. A list of outside imaging facilities is at the bottom of this page.

Before Your Scan — Preparation Instructions

General Instructions (All Imaging Types)

Item Instruction
Fasting (NPO) Do NOT eat or drink for 3 hours before your appointment. (FDG patients — see instructions below.)
Hydration Increase your fluid intake in the 12 hours before your scan. Drink extra water throughout the day prior.
What to Wear Loose, comfortable clothing — no metal zippers, snaps, or underwire. You may be asked to change into a gown.
Medications Take regular medications as prescribed unless instructed otherwise.
Allergies Notify staff of any allergies, especially to contrast dye, iodine, shellfish, or prior CT reactions.

PET/CT — FDG Additional Instructions

Non-Diabetic Patients

  • No food or drinks (other than water) 4 hours before the exam — including gum, candy, cough drops, mints, cough syrup, liquid medications, and vitamins.
  • No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before exam.
  • Drink 16 oz of plain water before arrival.
  • Blood glucose will be tested at the exam and must be under 200 mg/dL.

Diabetic Patients

  • No food or drinks (other than water) 4 hours before the exam — including gum, candy, cough drops, mints, cough syrup, liquid medications, and vitamins.
  • No strenuous exercise for 24 hours before exam.
  • Drink 16 oz of plain water before arrival.
  • Do not take glucose or insulin 4 hours before exam.
  • Set insulin pump to "basal" setting 4 hours before exam.
  • No long-acting insulin after midnight the night before.

PET/CT — PSMA

No special dietary restrictions required. Your team will provide any specific instructions at scheduling.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Scan

When you arrive, staff will confirm your identity and complete a brief safety screening. Here is what to expect:

  • Remove jewelry, glasses, hearing aids, and any metal objects.
  • You will lie on a padded table that slides slowly through the scanner — a large, donut-shaped machine.
  • You may be asked to hold your breath briefly during certain phases to improve image quality.
  • If receiving contrast, a small IV will be placed in your arm. A warm flush sensation and brief metallic taste are normal and pass quickly.
  • The scanner makes humming and clicking sounds — this is completely normal.
  • You will be awake throughout. The technologist will be nearby and in communication with you at all times.
  • Women under age 55 will be asked to provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test before the exam.
  • PET/CT patients: A small amount of radioactive tracer will be injected, and you will rest quietly for 45–60 minutes before imaging begins.

Important — Please Tell Us Before Your Scan If You:

  • Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
  • Have ever had a reaction to IV contrast dye or iodine
  • Have kidney disease or a history of poor kidney function
  • Have difficulty lying flat or experience claustrophobia
  • Have a pacemaker, implanted device, or metal implants
  • Are diabetic (required for FDG PET/CT — see above)

Please notify our office at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment.

After Your Scan

Once your scan is complete, you may return to all normal activities immediately. If contrast dye was used, drink plenty of water for the rest of the day to help your kidneys flush it from your system.

A radiologist will review your images and send a detailed report to your urologist. Your care team will review your results with you at your follow-up appointment.

Insurance Authorization for Imaging at Advanced Urology

  • After your appointment is scheduled, our team will begin the insurance authorization process for imaging to be done at our Advanced Urology location. This step is required before your scan can take place.
  • Sometimes authorization can take additional time. If there are any delays or issues, we will contact you directly with updates and next steps.
  • If your authorization is not approved in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. We will contact you to reschedule.

Outside Imaging Facilities (Path B)

If you prefer to have your imaging done at an outside facility instead of at Advanced Urology, you have that option. Let us know within 48 hours so we can send your order to that facility. The facility will then schedule your appointment (or call you to schedule) and obtain the necessary authorizations from your insurance. Please allow 24–48 hours for your order to be faxed before you call them, and remember to bring your insurance card and a photo ID to your appointment.

These are some facilities that provide the imaging service your provider has ordered. Each one has multiple locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. The phone number provided is their general information line.

Healthcare System Phone Website
Wellstar Health System 770-956-7827 wellstar.org
Piedmont Health System 404-605-5000 piedmont.org
Northside Hospital 404-845-8200 northside.com
Emory Healthcare 404-778-7777 emoryhealthcare.org
American Health Imaging 855-674-2464 americanhealthimaging.com

Questions About Your Imaging Study?

If you have questions about your procedure, preparation, or insurance authorization, our team is here to help.

Call 678-344-8900

Contact Advanced Urology for any questions about your imaging study