Percutaneous Liver Biopsy: What to Expect at Home

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.

Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.

Avoid exercises that use your belly muscles and strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 1 week or until your doctor says it is okay.

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

You will probably need to take 1 or 2 days off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.

You will probably be able to shower the same day as the test, if your doctor says it is okay. Pat the puncture site dry. Do not take a bath for at least 2 days after the test, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

• If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

• If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, take an over-the-counter medicine that your doctor recommends. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless your doctor says it is okay.

If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:

• Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).

• Ask your doctor for a different kind of pain medicine.

Keep a bandage over the puncture site for the first 1 or 2 days.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have severe trouble breathing.

You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

You have severe pain in your chest, shoulder, or belly.

You have new or worse shortness of breath.

Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over the puncture site.

You have pain that does not get better after you take your pain medicine.

You are sick to your stomach or cannot keep fluids down.

You have a fever, chills, or body aches.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the puncture site.

• Pus draining from the puncture site.

• A fever.

You have new or worse pain at the puncture site.

You have new or worse belly swelling or bloating.

You have trouble passing urine or stool.

Your stools are black and tarlike or have streaks of blood.

You have pale-colored stools along with dark urine and itching.