Curettage/Bioposy

Hi nigelnelly  The procedure you are having done is a biopsy I think where they just take a small sample and test it to see what it shows up.  I had one done on my face with a local and it didn't take long at all.  I had it done at the same time as I had a basal cell skin cancer removed and the whole procedure including the biopsy took about one and a half hours, but the actual biopsy part only about 10 minutes.  I had a couple of stitches in it that is all.  How big is the area you are having done.  It wasn't painful at all once the injections had gone in which weren't too bad either.  I didnt even have to get undressed they just put a sterile cover over jumper and I sat in a chair in what they call the treatment room.   friend had one done on her calf but it was to remove a mole that had started to grow and she had 6 stitches in that but she was fine too and she had hers done in just like a treatment room not a theatre.  Have they told you any details.  My hubby took me but think you will be fine on your own if you are going by taxi.  Good Luck xx

Hi nigelnelly and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

It's natural to be worried about a procedure you haven't had before. I haven't had curettage, so can't offer any first hand experience, however, I've found this information from a dermatology clinic that describes what will happen. As you'll see when you click on the link, the area will be injected with a local anaesthetic and then the lesion will be scraped off using a curette. As you've surmised, it goes on to say that if there's any bleeding it will be cauterised.

The lesion will then be sent of to be biopsied. When you have your procedure done, if the information isn't volunteered ask how long it should be before you'll get your results, how you'll get your results and who you should contact if you don't hear in the specified time.

As for how painful it will be, well you shouldn't feel anything because the area will be numbed by the local anaesthetic. The leaflet I've linked you to suggests taking paracetamol if the area is uncomfortable once the anaesthetic wears off.

You won't need any special clothing but it's probably sensible to not wear anything that would be too tight or might rub the wound area.

I've had a look in the group and I'm tagging Dogs are the best into this reply as they are the most recent person to have posted about having curettage.

Do come back and let us know how you get on and try not to worry. I'm sure you'll find the anticipation is far worse than the actual procedure.

x