Topic: wire guided excisional biopsy

Dawn...My wire placement was quite painful and that's because I wasn't given any anesthesia. In retrospect, and especially after hearing from all the ladies here, I realized that I could and should have checked with the doctor beforehand and insisted upon a strong anesthesia, one just like what they use for core biopsies. I didn't feel a thing with my various biopsies and wire localization can be just as easy. So make sure that you speak with whomever has decision-making power and can write the orders for a strong anesthetic. Then you should do absolutely fine.

~Marin

Dawn - I had a wire guided excisional biopsy last month for microcalcifications (they were very close to my chest wall).  They did inject me with lidocaine and I did not feel a thing - just a little sting from the injection. In fact, when I looked down at my breast, I was so surprised to see the wire sticking out!  I didn't watch the procedure and so I didn't know what they were doing and was shocked when they told me they were done.  They took several pictures to be sure the wire was correctly placed but the whole thing from start to finish took about 20 minutes. I hope your experience is as good as mine was. Glad to hear your first result was B9 and here's hoping and praying your next result is too. Good luck!

Dawn - pain differs from person to person.  Usually a needle (wire) localization shouldn't be that painful.  Make sure you get lidocaine and hopefully they add sodium bicarb to it.  This will take the sting away.  Once you are numb, that's all you should feel is pressure.  Areas that are close to the nipple and very dense breast tissue are more painful.  The procedure is quick as long as you don't move.  The area is marked, kind of an x marks the spot, so you have to hold still.  The tech will take approx.  6 images. Don't worry, you shouldn't have a problem and they go a lot faster than a core biopsy.  Once the wire is in place, it is usually secured by tape or gauze.  It has a hook at the end so it won't pull out.  You can't take any strong meds because you have to be awake to cooperate. And the reason some docs don't use the lidocaine is that they feel they are giving 2 needle sticks - 1 for the anesthesia and 1 for the wire placement.  Good luck, you'll be fine.

 Thanks to all of you for helping me feel better about this whole thing. I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for about three months now. I'm just wanting this to be over already. Thanks again, I'll be sure to ask about getting Lidocain to help. You ladies are a godsend. I'm getting it done May 15. Please keep me in your thoughts. Dawn

Hi Dawn, my experience was similar to AlohaGirl's. The worst part was sitting in the chair while clamped in the mammo machine with my neck at an awkward angle.  I had a lidocain shot and didn't really feel too much.  There was an odd sensation when the radiologist placed the wire, but I don't know if I would call it pain.  The weirdest thing was having the styrofoam cup taped to my chest over the wire so it wouldn't get bumped.  We're talking high tech, baby!  It is easier to go through any procedure if you know what to expect.  Keep coming back with any more questions that you have.

Take care - Julie

Hi - 

 Don't worry too much. The wire localization was no big deal. They used a mammo machine with a little window in it, took a film, developed it, came back and put the wire (tiny) in with local anesthesia and then confirmed with another mammo. You stay in the machine the whole time but they didn't compress as much as usual and the window helps. Also, they gave me a chair to sit in so it really wasn't that uncomfortable at all. I was awake for my surgery - a fairly sizeable lump at least in relation to the rest of me ;). I really had no pain at all. Just a little stinging. They gave me a vicoden after but I only nibbled at it and hid the rest in case I needed it which I didn't. I used lots of ice to keep the swelling and pain down - peas actually. Have several bags on hand.

I was a little surprised by the core biopsy I had before and I think it was mostly that I was unprepared and didn't know what was going to happen so I hope this helps ease your mind. I took my iPod and played games on it while I was waiting for the surgery so I wouldn't think too much and chatted with my "neighbors". I read somewhere a study in which they gave gameboys to kids before surgery and they had much less pain. I really believe this. Bring something to distract you if you are a worrier like me.

Hello all,

I too am having this procedure this Thursday and I must say I am scared out of my wits.  Thanks for posting the comments it really helps.  Wish me luck.  I will post my results later.

Sterling