How do I prepare for a biopsy?

As you prepare for biopsy, it partly depends on the type of biopsy you undergo. You will need to make some preparations for a biopsy that requires anesthesia, such as providing home driving from the hospital, that you will not need a biopsy during which you are awake. Since some medicines can interact with the procedure or be dangerous if you have if you have a biopsy, you should know your doctor about any medicines you are well in advance. Also inform your doctor about all the allergies you have. In general, you should stop taking blood thinners about a week before the procedure because you need to have a blood clot to prevent excessive bleeding during the biopsy. Other medicines you should inform your doctor include aspirin, who also gives blood, other painkillers and insulin. Most likely you will also be able to take further medicines on the day of biopsy, but should first check with your doctor.

If you want to prepare for biopsy, you should also tell your doctor about any allergies you are experiencing. For example, you may be allergic to the anesthetics component and your doctor must be aware of it. Ideally, you should be able to describe the type of allergic reaction you have and whether you respond to food or medicines or experience seasonal allergies.

If the biopsy procedure requires you to undergo general anesthesia, you must agree before the procedure for driving home. After they have come out of anesthesia, you will not be able to go home or take public transport. Many hospitals will not perform a biopsy if you do not have a person to accompany you home.

You must be careful when and what you eat and drink before the procedure, which also requires anesthesia. Usually you will need to refrain from eating or drinking for 10 hours or the day before the biopsy. However, there are some exceptions. You may be able to take certain medicines with a small amount of water, for example, on a day.

Depending on the type of biopsy procedure, you will need to take off certain objects before it starts. For example, remove any prostheses before the thyroid biopsy. Some biopsy are performed using MRI, which means you have to remove any metal. If you have metal in your body or pacemaker, you must tell your doctor before the start of the biopsy.