Swelling After Large Lipoma Removal? Whats the Cause and Cure?

What you describe is a seroma, or collection of serum in the empty raw space where the lipoma used to be. If there is a lot of bruising associated with it, it could also be a hematoma (blood clot under the skin).  . Fortunately is resolves but some are persistent and take a long time. Occasionally a new drain needs to be placed. An elastic vest is helpful, decreasing back movement associated with exercise, and in rare cases injection of tetracycline with a drain in place is required (see below reference).

Web reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6638823

Swelling four days after lipoma removal is likely a fluid collection. This could either be blood or tissue fluid. If it's truly the size of a golf ball, this should be drained to speed the recovery process and prevent potential infection.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Web reference: http://weberfacialplasticsurgery.com

 after a lipoma is removed, especially a large one, an empty space is left in the tissues.  the body tends to fill in this empty space with fluid called a seroma.  usually, seromas do not require specific treatment unless they get infected or are very tense.  a warm compress over the area may help the fluid to be reabsorbed or to spontaneously drain.  if there is warmth, redness or pus at the site, it may need drained and treated with antibiotics and wound packing but this would be determined by a doctor.  if there was bleeding in the space, then you may be feeling clotted blood, called a hematoma.   the doctor who did the removal should check the site or have someone lined up to see his/her patients while he/she is unavailable.