I have over 60 lipomas on my upper legs and some on my arms as well. If I have them removed will they just grow back? (photo)

Question

I am a 39 year old female with type-1 diabetes. These lipomas started showing up in my early 20's. Most of them are painful when pressure is applied.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that occur under the skin and less commonly within the muscle. They are associated with mild discomfort and a lump underneath the skin. It is always best to talk to an expert plastic surgeon to determine whether the lipoma is possibly a cyst or a tumor or hernia. We would have to remove the lipoma to be sure that it is not something else and we usually do this by sending it to a pathologist for evaluation. If a lipoma is painful, then an exam is needed to make sure it is not compressing on a nerve or whether the diagnosis is different. Aftercare for a lipoma includes gentle compression and Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily on the wound.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Most lipomas that are removed are gone forever, although in our experience, perhaps 10-15% recur or don't go away completely. Most patients are still quite satisfied with the results.

I have over 60 lipomas on my upper legs and some on my arms as well. If I have them removed will they just grow back? (photo)

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

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I have over 60 lipomas on my upper legs and some on my arms as well. If I have them removed will they just grow back? (photo)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.