still having pain

[pcc718]

I had a wire guided excisional biopsy a few weeks ago.  At post-op things seemed OK.  There was no infection and the incision was healing nicely.  However, I still have soreness and it is more painful now than it was right after surgery.  Also, the whole right side of my breast is hard and this breast is now larger than the other one.   When I awoke in recovery, I was advised by the surgeon that the wire was "lost" and it wasn't discovered until the procedure was over and he had already stitched the incision.  He had to go back in and still couldn't find the wire and he assumes that it was suctioned out.  I called the doctor's office a few days ago and told them of the hardness, pain and larger breast and was told that it will take 6 to 8 weeks before I will feel better and that I could try moist heat.  That helped a little but today I'm very sore again.  Has anyone else ever had this type of problem and should I be concerned or just wait the 6 to 8 weeks to see if it goes away?
pcc718

[iam1butterfly]

I had the same procedure in late 2005. The fine surgical steel wire was inserted in my right breast (at the radiological facility) as an indicator to where the surgical biopsy was to be performed. I experienced the hardness and swelling that I think that you're describing. It seemed that my breast was bruised, swollen, sore, and sensitive for a quite a while... I'd say, at least a month; perhaps, longer. The hardness is a result of the scar tissue that forms at and around the site of the incision. My incision area felt like a solid knot. What I did was: after my incision was completely healed, I massaged the area with vitamin E oil, nightly for the better part of 6 months. This softened the hardness and minimized the scarring. As for a wire getting lost during a procedure, I've never heard of that happening to anyone. But, I can understand your concern if you're thinking that the wire is still in you and, possibly causing your discomfort. I don't know... maybe, to put your mind at ease, the doctor can order an x-ray to see whether or not the wire is still in you? I'm not sure how he would react to that though; couldn't hurt to ask.

[jinNYC]

I am having the exact same experience (although they didnt't lose my wire) and am not a happy camper.  My procedure was this past wednesday and I didn't have swelling and soreness until 2 days later and I am not at all comfortable and the pain and soreness will not go away.  I don't remember my doctor saying i would be in pain for 6-8 week but it is consoling to know someone else has had the same ordeal.  

[pcc718]

Thank you for responding.  No one told me it was going to take 6 to 8 weeks to recover either.  If they had, it would have relieved some of the anxiety.  
pcc718

[pcc718]

Thank you for responding.  The moist heat has helped a little but it looks like it's going to be a while before I'm back to normal.  The incision area is still sore but after it isn't, I'll follow your lead.  It can't hurt.
pcc718