Stressed about caring for sutures after cyst removal, can you advise? (Photo)

Question

I will have lipoma/cyst removal upcoming week. It's 1,5cm-2cm just 0.5mm on the left from my spine. The thing is I live alone and have no friends or family where I live currently and I am afraid I won't be able to care for suture properly after removal. It's really centre of the back and stretches when I move my arms. Is it safe for me to undergo this procedure? I have to move my arms constantly (cleaning, cooking, thankfully have laptop work). Will that rip the wound?

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kittykatelondon,
scar prevention begins in the OR during the surgery when I meticulously close wounds in multiple layers in order to reduce tension and reduce scars width. I tape my incisions during the early postoperative period to reduce micromotions of the tissues so the incision can heal earlier. I also use compression garments and later Biocorneum gel.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  After lipoma/cyst removal there should be very little maintenance that you will require to care for your incision. Talk to your surgeon who should provide you greater detail about your specific procedure

Stressed about caring for sutures after cyst removal, can you advise? (Photo)

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Stressed about caring for sutures after cyst removal, can you advise? (Photo)

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