Nerve damage and repair after lipoma removal from the forehead. Is it permanent?

Question

I loss the sensation from the top of my scale after moving a lipoma on top my eyebrow. The nerve affected is more likely the supra-orbital nerve. If I puss down on the bottom side of the incision site, I could feel the top of my scalp as if being scratched. So is my nerve damage permanent? I just has surgery in the last two days, so what should I do.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have some numbness above the area of incision on your forehead after a lipoma removal.  In most cases, this issue will resolve over time but it can take weeks to months.  Given that your surgery was two days ago, there most likely will still be improvement over more time.  There is nothing to do except just be patient and wait.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

It's been my experience that patients are frequently numb above their forehead incision after lipoma removal. This typically returns over the next several weeks to months. Make your operating surgeon aware of your numbness so they can further discuss it with you and the likelihood of return.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

If you're only two days post procedure I would recommend giving this more time. Usually, numbness results from stretching the nerve as opposed to cutting the nerve. This will recover in time. Also the fact that pressing below your brow gives you a sensation in the scalp suggests that the nerve is still intact. Most likely this will improve but followup with your surgeon to be sure. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Alim R. Devani, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Thanks for your question. This is a question that we
get asked often by our patients. This side effect from surgery should have been discussed with you and most cases is temporary but can take up to 1 year to resolve. If it is persistent or you are worried, set up a follow up
appointment with your dermatologist.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Only your surgeon can tell if the nerve was damaged. However almost all lipomas of the forehead are below the frontalis muscle where the nerves reside. Working around these nerves and stretching can cause the nerve to stop working for some time. Since these nerves branch to many branches the sensation comes back in most of the time. It nay take up to one year to come back. Follow up with your surgeon and follow his recommendations

Nerve damage and repair after lipoma removal from the forehead. Is it permanent?

Answers (6)

Answer: Will improve with time

Answer: Will improve with time

Answer: Lipoma Forehead

Answer: Lipoma Forehead

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Nerve damage and repair after lipoma removal from the forehead. Is it permanent?

Answers (6)

Answer: Will improve with time

Answer: Will improve with time

Answer: Lipoma Forehead

Answer: Lipoma Forehead

Browse related questions

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.