Legal Law

Lipoma removal: what to look for after lipoma surgery

In general, lipomas are neither painful nor harmful, but there are times when they can be uncomfortable, especially if they arise on the back. If they don’t cause any problems, then no treatment is necessary, but for many people, they are aesthetically unattractive and lipoma removal surgery may be the preferred option.

During the simple excision procedure, a small cut is made over the lump, the fatty tissue is removed, and the skin is sutured. The patient, size, and location of the lump will determine the type of anesthetic used. Small lipomas can be removed under local anesthesia, which may mean outpatient surgery, with a short period of recovery time required. Larger lipomas, such as those on the back, must be removed under general anesthesia and will therefore involve a longer recovery period, with driving or operating machinery prohibited for at least 24 hours.

As with all surgical procedures, there will be certain risk factors that you should be aware of after lipoma removal. The following are some examples:

Liquid

This is a common occurrence. Clear fluid collects in the space left free by the lipoma removal, and sometimes it may need to be drained.

Infection

Antibiotic treatment will be required if an infection occurs.

Bleeding

If the wound bleeds, it may be necessary to return to the surgeon for further attention.

Reappearance

If a small part of the lipoma remains, the lipoma will come back.

Damaged nerve

As with all surgical procedures, the possibility of nerve damage increases.

Scars

Some people develop keloid scars, which can be unpleasant.

Risks of a more general nature, although extremely rare, include death in reaction to anesthesia, blood clots, heart attack, or stroke due to blood vessel problems.

After surgery, the least that can be expected is adequate pain management by the medical team, who must frequently monitor pain and discomfort levels and take the necessary measures. Typical pain relievers that can be used are Panadol and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), but it is rare that something stronger than panadol is needed. As with all medicines and drugs, professional medical advice should be obtained before proceeding with treatment.

After discharge, the incision should be protected with a waterproof bandage for approximately 5 days. It should heal after this period, but it will still need care when washing until it is fully healed. It is normal to find bruises around the wound, perhaps slightly red along the cut or a hard ridge of tissue under the wound. All of these should fade and be less visible after about three months.

A common sense approach to activities and exercise should be employed, taking things slowly and gently at first, until the wound is completely healed.

However, not everyone finds lipoma surgery an attractive option. There are several natural home remedies and herbal treatments that can be tried if surgery does not seem like an adequate solution. Of course, the proper professional medical advice should always be sought before taking this course of action to avoid lipoma surgery.

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