I'm not a medical doctor (nor do I play one on tv) but it is not a big deal (to doctors) and can be done in your hematologist's office. I think it's from the pelvic bone...but it is all anesthetized... still, gotta be sore later, ya think? I'm surprised you haven't had this done before, but glad to hear someone is going to get you a definitive answer by doing this. ((((pet__)))))