Swollen lump at lipoma incision site 6 days later. Is this normal? How long to heal?

Question

I had a 3cm lipoma removed off my forehead 6 days ago. After surgery the site was flat, 2 days later my eye swelled, and now at day 5 and 6 there is a swollen lump after the stiches were taken out. Will my incision site go flat? Scared I will have a new lump. How do I help the swelling?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your continual swelling.  It would not be uncommon to still have some soft tissue swelling present in your forehead/facial tissues after surgery, but typically it is subtle.  Without photographs it is difficult to offer definite advice but I would be concerned that you may have developed a small fluid collection which will need either additional time, or needle aspiration to fully resolve.  See your surgeon in consultation to obtain an in-person evaluation.

Leslie Memsic, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry you are having issues after your lipoma surgery. It is normal for a surgical site to swell after surgery. Some lipomas are so large that drains are placed at the time of surgery since so much swelling is expected that it is more comfortable to allow the fluid to drain out. Your mass of 3 cm is fairly large and the fact that the wound was flat initially post op suggests that your swelling is due to postop seroma or hematoma (blood) accumulation. This should completely resolve in a few days. If it does not, consider following up with your surgeon and undergoing ultrasound aspiration of the fluid followed by a pressure dressing. All will be well. Good luck and take care.

Swollen lump at lipoma incision site 6 days later. Is this normal? How long to heal?

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Swollen lump at lipoma incision site 6 days later. Is this normal? How long to heal?

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.