Lipoma grew back

Question

My lipoma was benign and I had it removed no issue.. it grew back same spot.. I don’t know if I should go to the same doctor. It was a year and 2 months since I removed it

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

A lipoma may grow back if it was incompletely removed. Assuming what was left was a small piece, it may take months to a year before it is big enough to feel and see.
 It is usually possible to completely remove a lipoma and see that it has been fully removed by observing the capsule is intact, particularly the bottom of the lipoma.
  Your doctor evidently did not remove all of it.  A board-certified plastic surgeon can remove lipomas.
Some doctors may be better at removing them than others, so a second opinion is always an alternative for you.

Kyle Kimura, MD · Answer

Unfortunately lipoma recurrence is one of the highest risks of removal as any small piece left behind can ultimately grow back into another lipoma over time. It is important that the lesion is completely and thoroughly removed to minimize this risk. Regarding your doctor/surgeon, as with any treatment, I think it is critically important that you feel confident and comfortable with them and feel like you have open lines of communication. Lipoma recurrence can happen to anyone, ultimately it comes down to how comfortable you feel with them and the process you went through with the intial removal as to whether you want to return or see someone new.

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

Benjamin J. Cousins, MD · Answer

I'm very sorry to hear that. Sometimes pretty rarely, do lipomas come back after excision and removal (5-7%of the time). A lot of the time they can be removed with an in office procedure. Be sure to see an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for the best results.

Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Cousins MD
Miami, FL

Sincerely,
Benjamin J. Cousins MD
Miami, FL

Lipoma grew back

Answers (4)

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