What Should I Do with Recurring Lipoma?

Question

I had a rather large lipoma spot located on my lower right side rib area, back in October of 2008. Shortly after I noticed it, farther back but in the same area there’s another spot. It is painful what should I do?

	I spoke with my regular doctor and he said that I should go back to the surgeon. I happen to be a pharmacy tech and asked my pharmacist. He recommended that I see a specialist but my insurance doesn’t cover that. It has become very tender in that area. I am also wondering why the surgeon did not remove all of it or if he did, why is it back?

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

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have noticed that your lipoma has returned, it is crucial to return to your plastic surgeon for an evaluation. Although uncommon, a lipoma or a portion of a lipoma may grow back. However, the most important thing is for your plastic surgeon to assess this area carefully and determine that this is only a benign process.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,
Was pathology sent on your original tumor? Maybe it was not a lipoma. The other alternative is that you have another one. Lipomas don't usually hurt unless they rub against something else and bother you for that reason.
I would get back to your surgeon and decide what should be done here.

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