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

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

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

Lipoma grew back

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Lipoma grew back

Answers (3)

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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.