What should I expect when getting biopsy

[outnumbered]

Hi I have posted previously regarding my lump.  My insurance denied the MRI (don't ya love it) I was told to skip it and go right for the biopsy.  Anyway, as I wait for my appointment, I am just wondering what I should expect when I go in for the biopsy.  What is the experience of getting the procedure like?  How long does it generally take for results?
Thanks

[japdip]

what you should make of that (the Dr.s reluctance to comment by brushing it off as "nothing") is that you have an excellent Surgeon who is all about the business of Health Care and will pay the closest attention to every detail. Congratulations .... these Docs are much too far and few between these days.  Relax now and know that you are getting the best of care.

[outnumbered]

Thanks for the notes and comments.  I finally saw a breast surgeon today.  I am scheduled for an excisional biopsy on 6/24.  She is also sending my films for a second review by their radiologist (this is a breast center) because of concern on a group of microcalcifications on the other breast.  Currently I am on a 6 month watch for that but she is not sure if we should wait 6 months.  I will know by Monday if I am going to have that biopsied also.  Its interesting, this doctor is the first I have seen that has not placated me by saying "most of the time these things are nothing..."  I do not know what to make of that.  I know there is nothing I can do at this point, it is totally out of my hands, but I am jumping out of my skin with nerves anyway.  

[outnumbered]

Thanks for your comments.  I am waiting for a call from a surgeon in NY, and I might be hopping a train in tomorrow.  I have been on the phone trying to line up a friend to come with me.  My husband (irony coming) spent last weekend at ASCO (american society of clinical onclology) working (he is in pharma pr), now he is debriefing by visiting his parents down south.  Once he was done at ASCO he offered to come home but I told him not to.  So I have been wigging out on my own and snapping at my poor kids. They have no idea why.  So here I wait.  I have been in touch with two of the best doctors in NY (one my husband talked to at ASCO) and hopefully I will get the call tomorrow.  My husband works with these doctors alot on the pr side, so I am getting moved up in the schedule fairly quickly, but nothing is quick enough, I guess.  Everyone keeps telling me odds are its nothing, but only you guys really know what its like. I am sorry I am on a rant, but it really seems to help.
Thanks again.

[jomi17]

I had an excisional biopsy 5 weeks ago where they removed the whole lump. It was done as an outpatient and I was only there a few hours. I was given meds so that I don't remember any of it so it was like taking a nap. I had no pain that day but the next it ached and that lasted for two days. The healing process was fairly easy, just avoid lifting anything heavy for a while.
The hardest part was having to wait for the final pathology report. The first pathologist wasn't sure so he sent it to the breast cancer center at UCSF for a second opinion. It took two weeks to get that final report, and I have to tell you, that was the LONGEST two weeks of my life! Usually it doesn't take that long.
My lump didn't show up on the mammogram, the ultrasound OR the MRI--but it was there. Remember that 80% of breast masses are benign so the odds are in your favor! Good luck!

[lhughes]

There's a couple of different ways they can do a biopsy.  I had the core biopsy where they use a punch tool (for lack of a better description).  I had a really big tumor that was easily located, so this worked well.  Hurt like he** though...even with the lidocaine.

My results were ready in about 3-4 days, but because of family plans, I waited an extra 3 days to get them.  And believe it or not, I was able to enjoy myself and have fun with the family while waiting.  

Take a friend with you.  My hubby was there to hold my hand through the whole thing.  Let them get as many samples as they will need.  My doc said something like "I've got 3 good samples, but 4 would be better" to which I replied "If you want another, you best be getting it, we're not doing this again any time soon!".  And he got his fourth, I figured I was already in pain, what was one more?!

You'll be fine, it's scary, it can hurt some but that does go away.  You may have bruising from the procedure, may not.  I had a small green bruise for about a week.

I hope you do not have cancer.  And insurance companies...gotta love 'em.  Frankly though, the biopsy is the definitive answer to the question.  They can look via all the machines in the world, but getting a sample of the thing is best, in my opinion.

Let us know what they tell ya.