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What to Expect After Biopsy
You will feel sore at the entry site. You can take Tylenol® or ibuprofen as needed for the next couple of days.
You may cough up blood-tinged mucus for up to 3 days.
You will have bruising at the entry site.
Home Care
Rest after the biopsy.
You may return to your normal routine after 24 hours, but no heavy activity for 5-7 days (i.e. heavy lifting or cardiovascular activity).
You may eat your normal diet. No alcohol for 24 hours.
No smoking for the first 24 hours.
You may remove the bandage and shower the next morning.
When to Call
If the biopsy site will not stop bleeding.
If you have pain at the biopsy site that is getting worse after 2-3 days.
If you have a major increase in mucus in the 24 hours after the biopsy.
If you cough up more than a teaspoon of blood.
If you have a fever over 101° F.
If you have major shortness of breath or can’t seem to catch your breath, go to the nearest emergency room right away. Tell them that you just had a lung biopsy. This can be a symptom of lung collapse. It can be life-threatening. Have them contact us right away if they have any questions.
Who to Call
For questions or problems during the day, please call our clinic nurse at 608-263-0693.
On weekends or after 4 pm, call the paging operator at 608-262-0486. Ask for the Senior Radiology Resident on-call. Tell them the name of the doctor who did the procedure. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. A doctor will call you back.
The toll-free number is 1-800-323-8942.
Results of your biopsy are almost always ready within 96 business hours. This does not include the weekend or holidays. If you have not heard from the doctor that ordered the lung biopsy by that time, call their office to ask about the results.