Can a massage help indents after lipoma removal?

Question

This is repeat surgery of lipoma that came back a few times. Not only do I have an indent like last time, but it seems to go deeper in one area making it worse than last scar. It's four months post surgery. Would massaging scar area help? Would massaging help some tissue move in that area? Also, scar very red for 4 months out. I used silicone sheets, but not as much as last time, as I felt after taking it off it looked redder. Sometimes I put vaseline on as I read hydration helps.

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

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  After removal of a large lipoma the fat that was displaced as the lipoma grew can "fill in" the void created.  At times this can result in complete resolution while in others a small contour irregularity may persist.  In these instances the best treatment would be to pursue fat grafting to the area to help smooth the skin.  Be sure to see an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to discuss your treatment options.

Leslie Memsic, MD, FACS · Answer

I am so sorry you have such problems with your lipoma excision. I hope it is gone now. I would recommend you consult a plastics specialist to evaluate the scar and defect. Steroid injection, laser therapy may help the scar but reoperation or fat injections may be needed to fill in the defect. Good luck and take care.

Can a massage help indents after lipoma removal?

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Can a massage help indents after lipoma removal?

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Everything you need to know about Lipoma Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.