SMALL study - vacuum excision procedure

Only seen it on YouTube.  Sounds interesting.  Would need to research it.

I have had this procedure at London Bridge hospital . Ummm , brace yourself it’s not pleasant however, recovery is quick and my bruising was absolutely minimal .

If I knew what I know now I would have asked for a sedative before . Something like diazepam or a Valium . I know there is a lot of negativity toward these drugs but still , I do believer there is a place for them and I would have preferred to of had the option .

Penelope 

So I had it. Started developing a bruise during the procedure so quickly that the specialist wanted to stop half way. She has not; however the result is undetermined as it is not possible to see anything on a mammogram due to the huge hematoma.

One thing I do not understand is why I has asked repeatedly whether I take aspirin or blood thinning medicines and nobody asked me beforehand whether I bruise easily.  The specialist performing VAE asked just before doing the excision. By which time it was late to refuse.

I might end up having the operation after all.

Snap! I’m having a deeper removal under general on the 3rd January . So that horrible procedure was all for nothing .

Penelope x

Hi, as the last post was a year ago I just wanted to share my experience, as i couldn’t get much information on this topic. My account is no way the norm!
I had a left lumpectomy 2 years ago but they found suspicious calcifications on the right breast. I first had a vacuum assisted biopsy. It was performed lying down on my side with the boob squashed on a ‘plate’ for what seemed like hours (it wasn’t) Not a pleasant experience but not painful but I left looking like a one sided Katy Price with severe bruising/haematomas which took 3 months to subside! 
As the results were inconclusive I went on to have a vacuum assisted excision. What a different experience! I was sitting up, squashed boob again but so quick! Tiny bit of bruising, no after effects. I did get a cup of tea afterwards and a chat with a nurse, which I didn’t get the first time but think is necessary. 
Everyone is different and will experience things in different ways, good and bad. I just wish there was more realistic information on VAB and VAE for anyone about to under go it.

I will share a long overdue update on my situation after the VAE in December 2024.

It took 11 months to confirm that it had been successful. I had a huge haematoma and it was not possible to get a clear scan. Finally one was done in November 2025. It came back inconclusive. I was sent for another biopsy. That confirmed the removal of the initial cancer.  

I am glad that I do not need a lumpectomy. Taking Letrozole for a year is sufficient to deal with - my body seems to be going apart with all sorts of health problems. Another 4 years to go.

Thank you for reading.

Hi Irisa, sorry to hear your haematoma was so bad. I do think it can sometimes be down to the expertise of the operator. Good news that they removed the cancer with no further surgery. I am on Anastrazole for another 4 years and as you say AI’s come with their own side effects. I had bowel cancer surgery 6 months before my breast surgery so understand the falling apart bit! But we are still here. One day at a time!