I have a large lipoma in my armpit. How long will the recovery be? (Photo)

Question

I have a large lipoma in my armpit, it's about 8-10cms. I have having surgery in about 10 days, I've been told it has to be under general as its deep and bleeding is a concern. I have done the research but either the lipomas are smaller or in a different location. What can I expect?

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 your question and for sharing your photographs.  Excess tissue in this region of the breast and chest is often accessory breast tissue and needs to be carefully removed and sent for pathological analysis. Hope this helps.

Bhupesh Vasisht, MD · Answer

This is not a lipoma.  This is axillary breast tissue until proven otherwise.  Basically you are going in for a breast reduction. Make sure your surgeon is familiar with the anatomy that he or she will be dealing with in this area and he or she is familiar with what breast tissue looks like.  Besides blood vessels, there are nerves that he or she has to be careful about here.  Good luck. hope this helpsDr VasishtSouth Shore Plastic Surgery

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

These are not lipomas. They are breast tissue. I recommend that you leave them alone.Dr Karamanoukian#RealSelf100 Member

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Most of the time masses in the area of the arm pit are accessory Breast Tissue. These are treated with both excision and liposuction. The tissue should be sent for pathological examination (Biopsy)

I have a large lipoma in my armpit. How long will the recovery be? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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