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Large Bump After Lipoma Surgery- What Could This Be?

3 weeks ago I had a lipoma removed. The stitches were removed 9 days after surgery. I developed a bump about 1 in. diameter, which is 2-3 times as was the lipolma. The doctors said it feels like a lypolma (but that is what I had removed)(not infected). Also,that he said he has not seen this happen before and to come back in a month. I have changed my diet. This last month a have been taking 2 tablespoons of flax seed with 2 tablespoons of olive oil twice a day. Should I get my blood tested?

Doctor Answers 4

October 11th, 2011

Bump after lipoma removal

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By your description, the bump may be a fluid collection of either blood(hematoma) or a seroma ( fluid created by the body in response to an injury). However, the person to best answer your question is the physician who performed the surgery. If you do not feel that you are receiving enough information from your surgeon, you could ask if a second opinion would help to alleviate concern.

Roberta Gartside, MD, FACS
October 10th, 2011

Post op for lipoma removal

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My concern in the initial postop period would be formation of a seroma, or fluid collection, or a hematoma. Please return to your plastic surgeon for follow up and, if you are unhappy with the response, seek a second opinion. It is far too early to have regrowth of the lipoma.
Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS
October 5th, 2011

Lipoma

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A mass like after removal of lipoma, think seroma, hematoma, most logical if the lipoma was removed .

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

October 5th, 2011

A lump following lipoma removal

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  • Lipoma is a clump of 'organized'  dividing adipocytes.
  • It is not unusual for Lipoma to return at the original site, but it has to take months in order to do so. 9 days post-operatively is too early for fat cells to re-group.
  • Rapid swelling at the surgical site if there is no infection might indicate development of seroma - inflammatory fluid collection between tissue planes. It is seen following surgery in response to injury of the operative intervention.
  • Ask your doctor to do an Ultrasound scan to establish the reason for that rapid swelling.
  • Simple aspiration and subsequent compression is all what is needed if this diagnosis is proven.
Alexandra Chambers, MD, PhD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.