excisional breast biopsy anesthesia... - Women's Health Message Board

Rorie · 01-26-2008, 03:35 PM

i am scheduled for an excisional breast biopsy to remove a lump in a little over a week. i am very anxious to get this over with as there has been a series of delays in dealing with this. the surgeon thinks the lump will turn out to be nothing to worry about, but i still want to get it over with.

my question is, i have come down with a cold. my colds tend to last at least 2 weeks, possibly leaving a lingering cough even longer. the plan is to do mac-anesthesia, where i will be asleep. i'm afraid they won't do it if i have a cold.

what kind of anesthesia have any of you had with an excisional breast biopsy? could they just do a local instead if i still have my cold? thanks.

breathe08 · 02-05-2008, 12:07 PM

I had straight local and was very glad. The anesthesiologist agreed with me - no reason to do general anesthesia unless you are extremely emotional to the point where it's going to be a problem. The nurse and I chatted about music during the whole procedure. The only thing I regret is that I did not eat the night before because the person who called me on the phone to register me instructed me not too. I hated feeling like I was starving through the whole thing. BTW, general anesthesia has risks. They should discuss all of that with you long before the procedure, not when they throw a waiver form at you on the operating table. Anesthesia also affects your memory.

breathe08 · 02-05-2008, 12:19 PM

Things I wish I knew before my excisional breast biopsy:

Because my incision was near my arm, lifting my arm pulled uncomfortably on the stitches for awhile. I needed to drive with my left arm. Also, I went to the store right after the surgery to buy the recommended sports bra for support (wish someone had told me beforehand) and I realized that shopping with one arm is not fun. If you have to drive over bumpy roads on the way home, try to get someone to drive you so you can hold a pillow underneath your breast. It keeps things from bouncing. I found that I really had no pain afterwards except when something caused bouncing or I stretched my arm too far.

The surgery itself was really easy. The hardest part was the needle localization beforehand, but that wasn't terrible or anything.

Be well Rorie! Peace to you,
K