I had my kidney biopsy in August of 2022. The days leading up to the procedure were some of the most stressful moments of my life. Preparing for the biopsy both mentally and logistically is important, and helps alleviate some of the anxiety. In case you feel unsure of what to do, I’ve prepared a list of things to consider before you have your biopsy.

The first thing that you should understand before undergoing a biopsy is why you need it. It may seem silly to ask, but it’s a good idea to have your nephrologist explain why they feel it’s necessary to do an invasive procedure. Usually, a kidney biopsy only happens if blood work, urinalysis, CT scans, and ultrasounds have all been inconclusive. In my case, my lab work made it clear that something was wrong, but my scans and ultrasounds all looked healthy and normal. I consulted with my primary care provider and a second nephrologist before scheduling my biopsy, and I recommend others do the same when possible. It’s always best to get a second opinion, in case anything was missed.

When scheduling your biopsy, think about how much time you might need to take off from work. You’ll be asked not to drive a vehicle or lift over 4.5kg (10lbs) for several days. If you’re very sensitive to pain or you know you have a difficult time recovering, I would recommend taking at least 4 or 5 days off, based on my own experience. Take longer if you have a very physical job—I would recommend at least a week. I work from home, and all my work is computer-based, so I was able to schedule my biopsy for a Friday morning and I was back to work by the following Tuesday. By scheduling my procedure on a Friday, I was able to take advantage of the weekend and only needed to take 2 days off from work. It might be more difficult to plan ahead if you have an irregular schedule, so ask your doctor to write a work excuse ahead of time if you think you might need one.

The next thing to consider is paying for the procedure. It’s a good idea to ask the hospital for a price estimate ahead of time and find out what you will be responsible for paying on the day of the procedure. The hospital can make sure your insurance covers the procedure and advise you if you need to provide any additional paperwork. You will most likely need to pay when you check in, either a co-pay or a percentage of the cost of the biopsy, so be sure to bring payment with you. Ask for a payment plan or resources ahead of time if you think you need assistance. The hospital’s billing department may be able to work with you and communicate with your insurance.

Make sure you have someone to drive you home after the procedure. You will be advised not to drive for several days following your biopsy, so plan ahead to have someone pick you up from the hospital. If you’re unable to find someone to help you get home, a taxi or ride-sharing service is a good option.

Once you’ve gotten things organized and ready to go, it’s time to prepare for the biopsy itself. Prior to my biopsy, I had never had a surgical or invasive procedure of any kind outside of getting teeth pulled for braces. It was emotionally overwhelming to try to mentally prepare for the procedure, and my stress levels were through the roof. I was very fearful and anxious. I think it’s normal to have that reaction, but if you’re struggling there’s no shame in asking your doctor about medicine to help ease your nerves. They can likely prescribe you something to take before the procedure to help you relax. Keep in mind that most biopsies are performed with local anesthetic, so you will probably be awake.

Next, you’ll want to pack a small bag for the hospital. I was admitted at 6:00 am and discharged just after noon, but some patients stay for an entire day or even overnight depending on the hospital’s policy. You should include your ID and insurance, payment for the procedure, your phone and charger, a change of clothes if you’re staying overnight, some comfy slip-on shoes, a hair tie or clip if you have long hair, and something to keep you busy while you’re in the recovery area. Depending on the hospital’s restrictions and space limitations, you may be by yourself for several hours during recovery, and often without a strong cell signal. Make sure to pre-download any shows you might want to watch, or bring a couple of books.

When you’re choosing your clothes, you need to consider that you’ll be tender and may be a bit swollen around the site of the procedure. I would advise against jeans or other rough fabrics, lace-up shoes, and anything tight-fitting or restrictive. Choose sweatpants or shorts, a loose dress, or something that you can easily get in and out of when it’s time for the bathroom. Shoes that can slip on and off are best so you don’t have to bend over.

You will probably be asked to not eat or drink anything for several hours prior to your biopsy. Make sure you read and understand the preparation instructions given to you and follow them carefully. This can include taking medication or limiting your diet and fluids. Call the hospital to ask for clarification if you need it.

The actual biopsy is over very quickly, the days leading up to it and the days following are much more difficult than the procedure. It takes about 10 or 15 minutes, the incision is tiny, and you don’t feel much pain. For details about exactly what happened during my biopsy, check out My Kidney Biopsy Experience.

Once the biopsy is complete, you will be sent to a recovery area. You will need to lay flat on your back for up to several hours, and a nurse will check on you regularly for any excessive bleeding or complications. Most biopsies are very simple and straightforward, but like any invasive procedure it does carry a small amount of risk. If at any point during recovery you feel that something is wrong, speak up right away. You will be monitored until the medical professionals deem that you are well enough to carry on

I had my kidney biopsy in August of 2022, which led to a diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy. The days leading up to the procedure were some of the most stressful moments of my life. Preparing for the biopsy both mentally and logistically is important, and helps alleviate some of the anxiety. In case you feel unsure of what to do, I’ve prepared a list of things to consider before you have your biopsy.

The first thing that you should understand before undergoing a biopsy is why you need it. It may seem silly to ask, but it’s a good idea to have your nephrologist explain why they feel it’s necessary to do an invasive procedure. Usually, a kidney biopsy only happens if blood work, urinalysis, CT scans, and ultrasounds have all been inconclusive. In my case, my lab work made it clear that something was wrong, but my scans and ultrasounds all looked healthy and normal. I consulted with my primary care provider and a second nephrologist before scheduling my biopsy, and I recommend others do the same when possible. It’s always best to get a second opinion, in case anything was missed.

When scheduling your biopsy, think about how much time you might need to take off from work. You’ll be asked not to drive a vehicle or lift over 4.5kg (10lbs) for several days. If you’re very sensitive to pain or you know you have a difficult time recovering, I would recommend taking at least 4 or 5 days off, based on my own experience. Take longer if you have a very physical job—I would recommend at least a week. I work from home, and all my work is computer-based, so I was able to schedule my biopsy for a Friday morning and I was back to work by the following Tuesday. By scheduling my procedure on a Friday, I was able to take advantage of the weekend and only needed to take 2 days off from work. It might be more difficult to plan ahead if you have an irregular schedule, so ask your doctor to write a work excuse ahead of time if you think you might need one.

The next thing to consider is paying for the procedure. It’s a good idea to ask the hospital for a price estimate ahead of time and find out what you will be responsible for paying on the day of the procedure. The hospital can make sure your insurance covers the procedure and advise you if you need to provide any additional paperwork. You will most likely need to pay when you check in, either a co-pay or a percentage of the cost of the biopsy, so be sure to bring payment with you. Ask for a payment plan or resources ahead of time if you think you need assistance. The hospital’s billing department may be able to work with you and communicate with your insurance.

Make sure you have someone to drive you home after the procedure. You will be advised not to drive for several days following your biopsy, so plan ahead to have someone pick you up from the hospital. If you’re unable to find someone to help you get home, a taxi or ride-sharing service is a good option.

Once you’ve gotten things organized and ready to go, it’s time to prepare for the biopsy itself. Prior to my biopsy, I had never had a surgical or invasive procedure of any kind outside of getting teeth pulled for braces. It was emotionally overwhelming to try to mentally prepare for the procedure, and my stress levels were through the roof. I was very fearful and anxious. I think it’s normal to have that reaction, but if you’re struggling there’s no shame in asking your doctor about medicine to help ease your nerves. They can likely prescribe you something to take before the procedure to help you relax. Keep in mind that most biopsies are performed with local anesthetic, so you will probably be awake.

Next, you’ll want to pack a small bag for the hospital. I was admitted at 6:00 am and discharged just after noon, but some patients stay for an entire day or even overnight depending on the hospital’s policy. You should include your ID and insurance, payment for the procedure, your phone and charger, a change of clothes if you’re staying overnight, some comfy slip-on shoes, a hair tie or clip if you have long hair, and something to keep you busy while you’re in the recovery area. Depending on the hospital’s restrictions and space limitations, you may be by yourself for several hours during recovery, and often without a strong cell signal. Make sure to pre-download any shows you might want to watch, or bring a couple of books.

When you’re choosing your clothes, you need to consider that you’ll be tender and may be a bit swollen around the site of the procedure. I would advise against jeans or other rough fabrics, lace-up shoes, and anything tight-fitting or restrictive. Choose sweatpants or shorts, a loose dress, or something that you can easily get in and out of when it’s time for the bathroom. Shoes that can slip on and off are best so you don’t have to bend over.

You will probably be asked to not eat or drink anything for several hours prior to your biopsy. Make sure you read and understand the preparation instructions given to you and follow them carefully. This can include taking medication or limiting your diet and fluids. Call the hospital to ask for clarification if you need to.

The actual biopsy is over very quickly, the days leading up to it and the days following are much more difficult than the procedure. It takes about 10 or 15 minutes, the incision is tiny, and you don’t feel much pain. For details about exactly what happened during my biopsy, check out My Kidney Biopsy Experience.

Once the biopsy is complete, you will be sent to an in-hospital recovery area. You will need to lay flat on your back for a number of hours, and a nurse will check on you regularly for any excessive bleeding or signs of complications. Most biopsies are very simple and straightforward, but like almost any medical procedure it does carry a small amount of risk. If at any point during your recovery you feel that something is wrong, speak up right away. You will be monitored until the medical professionals deem that you are well enough to carry on recovering at home, usually no more than 24 hours. Each hospital has different guidelines, so your recovery time can vary greatly depending on where you have your biopsy done.

Be aware that some of the medications used for numbing during a biopsy can be very strong, even if you’re awake for the procedure. Depending on what drugs were administered to you, you may experience withdrawals at some point, usually somewhere between 8-48 hours after your biopsy. Do not take withdrawals lightly. Have someone stay with you on the first night if possible, to make sure you’re okay. I had no idea what was happening, and I didn’t recognize what I was experiencing as a drug withdrawal until days later when talking to someone else. It’s a scary topic, but I wish someone had warned me.

After you get home, you will need to take it easy for several days. The most common restrictions for the first few days are no driving and no lifting heavy items. If you need to take over-the-counter medicine to alleviate the soreness, ask your doctor to make sure it’s safe. NSAIDs like Motrin (ibuprofen) are generally not the best choice, since they can be harsh on the kidneys. You will be quite sore, but you should make an effort to walk and move around after the first day, just try to move slowly and gently at first. Don’t push your body too hard, it’s okay to rest and take time for yourself.

When you return to work, don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations if you need them. This can include shortened hours, a place to sit, or a temporary change in responsibilities. Especially if you have a physical job, you can request a note from your doctor explaining what your limitations are and for how long. Most employers will provide reasonable accommodations for employees following a medical procedure.

All that will be left to do is wait for results. Honestly, this might have been the most stressful part for me. It can take several days, even weeks, to get your results. First, the tissue samples have to be sent to the lab and processed. Next, a pathologist will examine the samples under a microscope using different stains and techniques. Depending on the quality of the samples collected, it could be challenging for the pathologist to diagnose the problem. In some cases, a second biopsy is needed if the first one is inconclusive. Once the results are in, your doctor will usually call you to explain your results and advise you on what the best next step is.