How likely is lipoma growing back? Did my surgeon fail? (Photo)

Question

I had a lipoma on my forehead removed and another one grew back in the exact same position within 3 months. I have never had any other lipomas. Did the surgeon fail to remove the original lipoma properly?

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

The lipomas in forehead do not commonly recur unless they are not well defined. Most are round or pancake shaped and are easily removed. Sometimes that can be lobulated and that is when they are more likely to recur. Its not that your surgeon failed, it is either a new one or a small part of a lobulated one that has started growing. RegardsDr. J

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

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your lipoma difficulties.  Based on your narrative it appears that your original surgeon may not have fully removed the initial lipoma.  It would be important to rule out the possibility of scar tissue causing an irregularity, however.  Hope this helps.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hello Lippy. Yes, lipomas commonly recur.  Your surgeon did not fail, there are many techniques to remove them, but unfortunately sometimes, even  changing techniques or the surgeon they will come back again. If the removal of the capsula is complete,  there are less chance for it to recur.
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Leonard Tachmes, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
A lipoma is a benign overgrowth of fat cells. In unusual instances, it may be associated with systemic disease. If well encapsulated, complete removal is usually successful. If unencapsulated, it is more difficult to achieve complete removal and recurrence is not uncommon. A secondary removal will most likely eradicate the lesion. Was the original excisional specimen submitted to pathology?
Best wishes...

Pablo Garcia, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hey! Thank you for your questionNot necessarily your doctor fail in the surgery, maybe the lipoma wasn't removed from your forehead completely or it lobulated and for that reason it recur. Hope my answer helped you!

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