By not having to wait, women are relieved of the worry of uncertainty. Dr. Bang maintains that because a local anesthetic using a tiny needle is given, the stereotactic needle biopsy is less painful for the patient. Since it is a less invasive way to obtain tissue samples there is also no significant scarring to the breast. Finally, the procedure requires much less recovery time than a surgical biopsy. The patient is back home, even back to work, the same day.
Most women feel fine after the procedure and return to their normal routine right away.
The only stipulation is that they refrain from any strenuous activity for at least 24 hours. Because a breast biopsy is such a personal matter, the hospital has helped ensure a woman s privacy by renovating its mammography room in order to accommodate the equipment needed for stereotactic needle biopsies. Instead of being in a busy operation room suite, the patient has the procedure performed in a private room. In addition, a radiology nurse works with each patient providing information and support, and guiding her through the entire process, from registration to discharge.