It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to remove the suspicious tissue. During surgery, the surgeon follows the wire down to the hook and removes the tissue that has been localized. The tissue is then sent to the radiology department to make sure it corresponds to the mammographic findings, and then it is sent to pathology. After surgery you will be taken to the recovery area for approximately one to two hours. Once your vital signs are stable, you will return to your room.
Most patients have very little discomfort following a biopsy.
After general anesthesia, you will probably be sleepy and want to rest. Your surgeon will see you postop and inform you of his findings. In most cases he will have a diagnosis, but in some instances, the findings of the frozen section are not conclusive and it will be necessary to wait for the results of the permanent section. It may be a few days before your surgeon will know the final diagnosis. Depending on how you feel, you will probably be ready to go home two to three hours after the biopsy.