Question 1

how long is recovery from a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Liver biopsy: You rest for approximately four to five hours after the biopsy and then go home. At home, do not lift more than 15 lb for the next 5 days and no aspirin, advil (ibuprofen) or Motrin like drugs for the same period of time.

Question 2

is liver biopsy painful?

Accepted Answer

It's not a bee sting: Despite using a local anesthetic, a liver biopsy is at best uncomfortable. A rather large gauge needle is used. Goes through the skin and muscle on the side of your abdomen and into the liver. Once there, the worse is over, pain wise.

Question 3

how safe is a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Liver biopsy: Ultrasound guided biopsy reasonably safe. Risk of bleeding number one complaint by patients is having to lay to stomach for a number of hours. Once was done without us guidence had possibility of accidental lung biopsy with pneumothorax. Much rarer.

Question 4

how dangerous is a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Not very: In experienced hands, ultrasound guided liver biopsy has a complication rate well below 5%.

Question 5

how long will my liver biopsy take?

Accepted Answer

15 minutes: Lie on the proper table, prep the skin, insert needle...Sometimes under ultrasound guidance, remove needle, may need more than one specimen.

Question 6

will i be awake for my liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: It depends on multiple factors.

Question 7

what can be found in a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Depends whether you have liver disease or not. It also depends on what type liver disease you have.

Question 8

what are the dangers of liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Many, see below: In general liver biopsy is very safe.  Complications include bleeeding, infection, bowel perforation, gallbladder perforation, bile leak, and punctured lung to name a few.  Bleeding is the most common.  Major complications occur rarely, about 1% of the time.

Question 9

can i say no to liver biopsy for meds?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy: An adult, competent person is free to undergo any test or treatment or not do that. Patient autonomy is part of the medical ethics. However, i strongly urge that you discuss the matter with your doctor rather just declining her/his advice.

Question 10

is my liver biopsy going to be painful?

Accepted Answer

Not much: If there are no complications, it should not hurt much more than a prick with a thick needle.

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How long is recovery from a liver biopsy

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How long is recovery from a liver biopsy?

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Is liver biopsy painful?

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How safe is a liver biopsy?

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How dangerous is a liver biopsy?

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How long will my liver biopsy take?

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Will i be awake for my liver biopsy?

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What can be found in a liver biopsy?

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What are the dangers of liver biopsy?

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Can i say no to liver biopsy for meds?

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Is my liver biopsy going to be painful?

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