How Long is the Healing Process After a Lipomas Surgery?

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

Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body.  They can be small or very large.  The recovery depends on how large the lipoma is and where it is located.  There is usually not much pain associated with lipoma removal, however, your strenuous activity may be limited until the incision heals and gains some strength.

Most lipomas can be removed through an incision that is much smaller than the growth itself-- often 1/4 or less the diameter of the lipoma.  Healing time will depend on the size and the location of the incision.  For example, leg incisions tend to heal more slowly, and removal around a joint or area of active motion (such as the shoulder, knee, hip) may take longer to heal and cause some limitation of activity.  For the best answer, consult with a Board Certified specialist, such as Dermatologist, who can properly evaluate your specific lipoma and expected limitation and healing time.