Getting Back to Work After Lipoma Removal

Question

I have a Lipoma on my wrist that I would like to have removed.  It has grown and now is causing my finger tips to feel cold and tingling.  How long will I be off work for something like this?

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD · Answer

Returning to work depends on the size and location of the lipoma as well as the nature of “work.” In general, extreme exertion or work that would contaminate the surgical area with dirt such as digging ditches and should wait a week or two after initial healing has been established. In most cases, work that does not involve these factors can be resumed the day after the procedure is performed.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

A mass at the wrist could be a lipoma or a cyst. If it becomes symptomatic as in your case consult your Plastic surgeon for appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment. If it is a cyst, the surgery is more involved and your time off work will be a bit longer, depending on the type of work you do.
Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you after a complete examination.
There are many Plastic surgeons who do hand surgery. Consult a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON.

Getting Back to Work After Lipoma Removal

Answers (3)

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