How long observation after biopsy?

[HarlemHon]

I am scheduled for a liver biopsy on August 7.  My son has to take off work and wants to know if he should ask for the whole day.  UTMB's website posted a video of a liver biopsy, and, at the end of it, the doctor said that they would be observing the patient for four hours.  Was that the case for most of you?  I told my son he had better plan to take the entire day in that case.

[Advocate1955]

Yes, they had my husband order a full lunch off the hospital menu and eat before he left.  You probably won't feel very hungry once they start the IV line.
Advocate1955

[hrsepwrguy]

They made me eat something before they would release me, after the procedure.

[HarlemHon]

Maybe I worry too much about being hungry, and maybe I won't care, but if I can't eat after midnight before the procedure and then have to be obseved for hours, I would like to think they would offer me at the very least a snack.  Did you get anything to eat in the hospital?

[Advocate1955]

Other suggestions:  Although the procedure is low risk and relatively painless, it can be stressful for the family member who is waiting.  It was stressful for me.  He can probably sit with you while they prep you and while they're monitoring you afterward.  I was allowed to sit in the procedure room and observe the biopsy both times.  You will be sedated and sleepy most of the time afterward.  He may want to bring coffee and snacks for himself, an MP3 player to listen to music, and a good book or something else to do.  Usually cell phones have to be turned off in hospital rooms, so he may not be able to use his cell phone for distraction.  Those things helped me to relax and be distracted.  Otherwise it's easy to get a bit anxious and stressed, listening to every breath, and watching the monitors!  :)  It's also a good idea to have a few easy things on hand at home for dinner and possibly next day's breakfast, either already prepared, or easy for him to prepare.
Advocate1955

[Advocate1955]

My husband has had two liver biopsies.  Both times, it was about 5 hrs. from arrival time to discharge time (about an hour of checking in, prep, etc., about 20 min in the procedure room, and about 4 hours of monitoring.  Since it is a sedated procedure, everyone responds differently to the sedation.  In my husband's case, he was pretty much asleep during and after the procedure.  They wheeled him out and helped him get in the car.  I drove him home, and he did fine getting inside and getting into bed.  Again everyone responds differently to sedation, but he slept most of the afternoon and through the night.  I checked on him frequently.  He was fine by the next day, still a little tired, but able to do normal activities.  We scheduled both biopsies for a Friday though so that he would have the weekend to rest if he needed it.  He had no pain or bleeding after either biopsy.  Because of the varying effects of the sedation, it would be great if your son could check on you through the evening.  If he lives with you, it would be great if he could check on you if he happens to wake up during the night as well.  I'm sure you will have no complications, but sedation is weird.
Advocate1955

[HarlemHon]

Your answers have really helped.  My son did ask for the entire day off, and I will also alert him to the fact that he might want to check up on me after I come home.

[jules2551]

I was there for 3 hours.  Even though I was absolutely fine.  No pain or discomfort.  But I think your son should take the day off to spend with you just in case.  You will do fine though.  Good luck!

Jules

[pooh55811]

I remember my instructions also said I would be observed for about 4 hours after the biopsy. It did not turn out to be that long, but that is because I did fine after the biopsy.

I had one person take me to the biopsy and drop me off and a different person come and pick me up after the biopsy. That way no one had to interrupt their entire day.

Also, something to keep in mind, sometimes they are behind schedule and your scheduled biopsy takes place an hour after it was supposed to take place. That happened to me so, even though my recovery time was shorter than the 4 hours, I still did not get out of there any sooner.

Best of luck on your biopsy.

[willbb]

Four hours is about the norm.. They monitor for any complications ..especially any bleeding issues(happens extremely rarely) .

Personally I have had three ...kept me under observation for 3 -4 hrs (all with no complications) and away I went to take it easy for 24 hours at home..

Best of luck...
Will

[hrsepwrguy]

Prepare for your recovery
You may receive a sedative before your liver biopsy. If this is the case, arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Have someone stay with you during the first night or to check on you. Many doctors recommend that people spend the first evening within an hour's driving distance of the hospital where the biopsy is done, in case a complication develops.

After the procedure
After the biopsy, you can expect to:

•Be taken to a recovery room, where a nurse will monitor your blood pressure, pulse and breathing
•Rest quietly for two to four hours, or longer if you had a transjugular procedure
•Feel some soreness where the needle was inserted, which may last as long as a week
•Have someone drive you home, since you won't be able to drive until the sedative wares off
•Avoid lifting more than 10 to 15 pounds for 24 hours
•Be able to get back to your usual activities in a day or two

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liver-biopsy/MY00949/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all

I think it would be a good idea to have your son with you though out the day, wishing you all the best with your results.