Question about recovery after excisional biopsy

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MKG23
MKG23 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2021 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi everyone, question about recovery after an excisional biopsy. I was given an BI-RADS 5 designation after breast imaging that very fortunately was found NOT to be cancer after a needle biopsy. The lesion was determined to be a radial scar that my doctor advised should be removed via excisional biopsy. I had the excisional biopsy to remove the radial scar almost two weeks ago and am still experiencing significant tenderness/discomfort (my husband has be be very careful hugging me, the area feels very sore if I stretch my arms, and though my surgeon says the radial scar was nowhere near my nipple the pain seems to radiate up to the nipple area). I saw my surgeon for a follow up and mentioned this pain/discomfort and she was pretty dismissive. She told me this could last 4-6 weeks (which was not discussed with me pre-surgery). My question is is this discomfort normal? At what point should I press my doctor harder or seek out another doctor? And for anyone that had an excisional biopsy (or maybe lumpectomy) how long did you experience discomfort?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited February 2021

    Yes, pretty much. I was also told the surgical retractor instruments used could also cause pain later in areas you are not thinking of being in the immediate field. Also, regenerating nerve zaps from where they were cut and interrupted May go on for month

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited February 2021

    It's the same surgery as a lumpectomy, so sure it will hurt, or at least be tender, for a while. I found using some gentle pressure helped, like a child's soft sock folded up and tucked into my bra.

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  • SparkleTBD
    SparkleTBD Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2021

    i was still having pain like you describe 5 weeks out from excisional biopsy.

    Then i had a lumpectomy last weekand it started all over again. Ive been icing and using tylenol with success.

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited March 2021

    Try compression bras. Takes whatever tissue that's now out to get re-organized. Pain, or having discomfort could mean you're developing scar tissue. Perhaps not getting enough blood flow. That's a very unprofessional guess of course.

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