Nervous - lumpectomy/biopsy pain

[Quirkysue]

I am scheduled to have a lump removed Jan 11th and am very scared there will be alot of pain associated with the surgery. Since I have never been put under general and he wanted to spare me the possible nausea sometimes associated with it, I will be sedated somewhat so I am sleepy and have local anesthetic (sp?) for a day surgery. I was given local for my core biopsy and I felt the last 3 of 4 samples like I hadn't been frozen at all.  I asked the doctor if it was wearing off because it felt like a burning stabbing pain or a brutal bee sting. He assured me it hadn't, and after the procedure it did indeed feel like it was numb.

I expressed my concern about this and he assured me I would be given enough to completely freeze me and I would be very sleepy and not completely aware of what was happening from the sedation. I am still worried.  I have read on here that someone else had the local wear off and felt the surgery and 16 stitches and I am terrified I migh have a similar experience. Do some people just not respond properly to local?  Feeling the pain and possibly not having the ability to let anyone know has my stomach in knots.

[Quirkysue]

Thanks SuzyQ - I'm calming down a little bit now although I am sure I will be restless the night before the big day.  Fear of the unknown is exactly it - I felt this way before I gave birth to my first child and I went ahead and did it again so it wasn't as bad as I imagined it then either. lol.

[SuzyQ1315]

I just had wire localization excisional biopsies on both breasts Dec.18th/07 under local with sedative.
I got myself all worked before surgery for nothing.  Last thing I remember before the surgery was the Dr. saying he was injecting the sedative, next thing I was waking up in the recovery room 2 hours later.  Took the tylenol #3 for 2 days post op and iced. Dr said to wear bra  24/7 for 2 days, still wearing it 24/7 almost 3 weeks later. I think its just scar tissue causing the discomfort. It was my first time having any kind of surgery local or general.  I guess it was the fear of the unknown that got me stressed out before surgery. Don't worry it wasn't bad, it didn't live up to the fear I had built up  in my head before surgery. I have to wait for my results til Jan.14/08. thats more painful than the surgery was. Good Luck

[gam59]

I had a core needle biopsy in November and just had a breast lump removed about a week ago(benign, thank God!).  The core needle was done in my breast specialist's office under a local anesthetic, and I the lump removal was an outpatient surgery done with a general anesthetic.  The local for the core needle biopsy wasn't fun, but it wasn't all that bad.  The lump removal was a piece of cake.  The doctor gave me a prescription for pain pills, but the discomfort was easily managed with Tylenol or Advil after the first day.  I iced the breast a couple of times a day for the first two days and wore a sports bra and I was honestly surprised at how little pain and bruising I had.  I have had procedures done in the past with twilight sleep as well and didn't feel or remember a thing.  Don't let the horror stories scare you - it really isn't all that bad.  Good luck!  Hope your results are as positive as mine were.  Let us know how you do.

[Quirkysue]

Thanks, often - for sharing your experience. I'm supposed to show up at the hospital three hours before my scheduled surgery so I'll ask for something to mellow me before it all begins. I'm not a worrying/anxious type person and my fear is more to do with never having had more than a couple stitches than the actual procedure.  It's great to hear tylenol was enough for your pain. Very reassuring thankyou.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
It is indeed thoughtful of you to share such encouraging posts so that others are motivated to get to a confirmed diagnosis.
Not getting the investigations done out of fear is one of the major reasons that a confirmed diagnosis is not got and certain treatable conditions are left untreated.
Keep up the good work.
Good luck.

[often]

There is absolutely no reason for you to feel any pain.  Generally, you are given something to put you in a "twilight" mode...versed is the usual med.  I have had many surgeries using this and never felt anything.  You truly need to discuss this with the doc prior to the date of surgery.  Let him know how upset and scared you are.  You can request something in pre-op to mellow you out.  I had very little discomfort after the lumpectomy.  Tylenol took care of it.  

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,
You should relax. If you get so anxious prior to the surgery, you will feel restless later too.
You need to understand that the anesthesiologist and the surgeon will take care that you do not feel any pain during the procedure.
You can ask the anesthesiologist for anti nausea medication pre operatively. Also if you are very anxious, ask him to prescribe antianxiety medication for a couple of nights before the surgery,so that you are relaxed and sleep well.
Also, ask the doctor to prescribe you pain relief medication that you could take in case required after the surgery.
Discuss with him about the things you need to avoid like weight lifting and heavy work after the procedure and things that would help like wearing lose clothes ( a sports bra) etc.
These help in speeding up the recovery process.
Discussing your doubts and fears with your doctor is the best way to find a solution to them.
Do let us know how you are doing.
Hope this helps.
Good luck for the surgery.