Local anesthetic in nipple

[ohsotiredzzz]

Hi,

I have to have a procedure on my breast which involves a local anesthetic in the nipple. I could have had general anesthetic but as I have a baby I thought recovery with local will be quicker and I don't like being knocked out!

The surgeon has been warning me how painful this would be and if I could deal with the pain,

My first thought was if I can deal with childbirth I can deal with that! But I wondered if anyone has had similar and can't advise how bad the pain is!!

I have had dye injected into the areola for cancer surgery. A friend of mine had the same done a few years previously and I remembered her saying at the time how painful it was. I was expecting it to be painful and once I was prepped and ready for the injection a nurse came in and held my hand which concerned me. I was told some women do find it painful so the nurse was there for support. I’m pleased to say I didn’t find it too bad. The only way I can describe it was like a long drawn out bee sting.

Yeah that’s going to be really sore but I would probably make the same choice in your shoes. It will be a case of deep breath and really still. I once had an injection in my Achilles tendon which was about the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. I think I bit my thumb!

I've had a biopsy and also radioactive dye injected for breast cancer surgery. I didn't find either particularly painful. I suspect the surgeon is concerned as you need to keep really still so if you have a low pain threshold or are someone who might react by jumping or moving away it would make it really difficult for him/her.
However, everyone experiences these things differently. It was fine for me, I've had much worse gynaecological procedures.

Though I have had local injected into a non areola part of my breast and I barely felt it!

Although I should also add that I've actually really enjoyed my experiences of general anaesthetic! Recovery is generally really quick these days and if its a quick procedure they only give you very light anaesthetic.