Lipoma removed. Hit head on healing scar. Now I have a "new" bump. Is it hematoma?

Question

I had a lipoma removed on my forehead. I hit my head on the fridge door less than two weeks after my surgery. I JUST got my sutures taken out when this occurred. I have a new bump on my forehead right below the incision line. I'm doing the massage scar treatments w/ vitamin E oil and doing clockwise/counterclockwise circular motions w/ the tip of my finger multiple times a day. What other treatments can I do to dissolve this new, undesirable bump?

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

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear of your head trauma.  Without an in-person examination or full series of photographs it is difficult to offer definite advice as this may be a hematoma or could be swelling from the original lipoma surgery.  A hematoma tends to be more sensitive and tender and feels somewhat firmer than tissue swelling.  I would recommend seeing your surgeon for an in-person evaluation, they can diagnose the cause and perform any needed treatments in their office.  Hope this helps.

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Most likely it's just some swelling at the site, and may not even be related to the lipoma (you should of course check with your own ps to be sure).  The head is a very vascular area and, as such, it doesn't take much trauma to have bleeding, swelling or both.  In the unlikely event that some bleeding got into the site it may need to be drained.But this is unusual.  Probably keeping some pressure on the site, ice to diminish swelling and pain medication if needed is all that's indicated.Along with touching base with your own PS.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of #RealSelf500

Lipoma removed. Hit head on healing scar. Now I have a "new" bump. Is it hematoma?

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Lipoma removed. Hit head on healing scar. Now I have a "new" bump. Is it hematoma?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

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