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Has anyone had a large lipoma removed from hip to knee in thigh? I'm 71, and the surgeon said this would be a very complex surgery, with possible complications due to the dead space left by the 2 pound tumor. It's not causing trouble (yet) but how fast can these lipomas grow? And some I know can have dangerous cell changes. I've been told cancer doesn't usually metastasize in these types of growths.Hard to know what to decide. Recovery would take four months (if I recovered). Some of the lipoma is in the retroperitoneum. Anyone know where exactly that is?
I had one that popped up on my shoulder blade about firfteen years ago......and I mean "popped up" almost overnight but it was a benign lipoma about the size of a lemon!. I have a large scar from it probably about 10 inches long and they put me under general. other than being a bit sore afterwards [and they put in a drain - OW THAT hurt to pull out] there were no issues - then or since.
Thought I would update with my experience to add to the helpful one previously posted. I would agree with the previous poster, as soon as you realize the lipoma is getting bigger, I would have it removed before it gets too big. I have one the size of a quarter on my back...as soon I realize it is getting bigger I will have it taken out. The plastic doctor told me the back is prone to scaring.
My lipoma grew to the size of a tennis ball and I truly believe it affected my arm in the fact it sent pain and caused numbness. The surgeon told me the lipoma was not the source of my pain/numbness as he couldn't understand what nerves it was affecting. My incision is only an inch long. Although my plastics guy said he would use ultrasound, he ended up liposuctioning it out and then pulling the outer lipoma sack out. I never asked why he switched procedures on me...I wish I did b/c I was a tad frustrated that he didn't run the change by me. I opted for local anesthetics so I was awake through the entire procedure that was maybe 30 minutes long.
My arm was very sore after the initial anesthetics wore off. I did have to take pain rx's to manage the intensity of the pain. My arm also swelled significantly...also normal. How do people get liposuction on their bodies (ouch)...I only had that on a small section of arm. I thought I would be able to return to physical exercise by my second day post op and I was so wrong. I started walking on the treadmill by post op day four. It took me a week to return to running...and I played it safe and didn't return to tennis for three weeks. My pain/numbness has disappeared! So far everything looks great and I'm not 90 days out yet. I was forewarned of the risk that the lipoma could return if all of the lipoma's sack wasn't removed. He feels like he was able to get all of it...I hope that is truly the case.
On a side note, I had a friend who had a lipoma in a similar location (on her shoulder) and it too caused her pain. With that said, my friend's scare was approximately 6 inches long as she had the standard surgical extraction procedure.
Here's the update to the update 10 months post my surgery. Since I didn't opt for the general surgery which meant a large scar and I went with the lipo suction and the inch long scar...my lipoma has returned but is much smaller than before I had it removed. The lypoma regrowth may stay this size or it may grow larger. I knew this was a potential risk prior to surgery b/c there was a chance the surgeon may miss part of the lypoma sack. If any part of the lypoma sack remains it can regrow. In the mean time, I have taken a wait and see approach with the one on my shoulder that has returned. The one on my back seems to have maintained too.
3 weeks ago a limpoma almost the size of a golf ball appeared on the inside of my arm just above my elbow. i am having pain radiating both directions on my arm depending on the activity required, and some feeling of weakness and numbness in my lower arm. saw an ortho doc today who is sending me for an mri, and says that if it stays the same size or isnt botherthing me we can leave it. it is bothering me just by knowing there is a big lump on my arm. and yes it hurts it has been hurting me for the last 3 weeks.. ugh. so now i have an mri then a follow up with the ortho.
those of you (who still read this post?) who had one removed from your arm, were you working at the time? were you out of work for any period of time? I type alllll day at work.. concerned about that.
do any of you think it is necessary to have a biopsy done of the lipoma? I have one in my thigh and its the size of a gulf ball maybe a little bigger... i go and see a specialist today (I believe a surgeon)
do any of you think it is necessary to have a biopsy done of the lipoma? I have one in my thigh and its the size of a gulf ball maybe a little bigger... i go and see a specialist today (I believe a surgeon)
I appreciate your help.
A biopsy is only indicated if the surgeon thinks there is something going on that would change the planned procedure or perhaps the place where the procedure is done --- office or a surgery center or hospital.
Lipomas have a very characteristic feel on physical examination and are rarely cancerous.
Removing the entire lump gets rid of it and provides tissue to send to the pathologist at the same time: one procedure and one path report to pay for. This is called an "excisional biopsy."
If the exam is consistent with a lipoma, removal is all that is necessary.
do any of you think it is necessary to have a biopsy done of the lipoma? I have one in my thigh and its the size of a gulf ball maybe a little bigger... i go and see a specialist today (I believe a surgeon)
I appreciate your help.
Actually a biopsy is often recommended for these masses.
There is no way on clinical exam to differentiate a lipoma from a liposarcoma.
If you are going to have the mass removed regardless the biopsy may not be necessary but if there is a chance you and your physician are going to watch the mass for changes, a fine needle biopsy can be done.
Even if an excision is planned, it is helpful to know in advance if the mass is benign or malignant as the need for clear margins would entail significantly more tissue being excised for a malignant soft tissue mass.
Most of the plastic surgeons I work with get biopsies of all probable lipomas.
Actually a biopsy is often recommended for these masses.
There is no way on clinical exam to differentiate a lipoma from a liposarcoma.
If you are going to have the mass removed regardless the biopsy may not be necessary but if there is a chance you and your physician are going to watch the mass for changes, a fine needle biopsy can be done.
Even if an excision is planned, it is helpful to know in advance if the mass is benign or malignant as the need for clear margins would entail significantly more tissue being excised for a malignant soft tissue mass.
Most of the plastic surgeons I work with get biopsies of all probable lipomas.
But the likelihood of the lipoma being malignant is very small. I can see doing a biopsy if it is not going to be removed, but unless it is large or in a site that increases the risk of malignancy, why not just do an excisional biopsy? Needle biopsy all: everyone pays for two procedures and two pathology reports, unless they decide not to have it removed. Excisional biopsy: majority have one procedure and one path report and the lump is gone. The small number that are malignant get worked up and additional treatment as indicated.
Hello everyone. I have lipoma on the upper left side of my face. I am light brown-skinned and terrified of having a scar. In fact tomorrow I am due for a consultation. I am so scared. Any advice, please.
I have 2 lipomas on my back and am using a Thai herbal balm based on bariena lunulina. After rubbing on the balm for just one day I noticed the lipomas were getting smaller
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