Lipoma surgery is a common procedure used to remove benign tumours called lipomas, which are soft, fatty lumps that develop under the skin.
Lipomas are usually harmless but can sometimes cause discomfort or affect a person’s appearance, leading them to seek surgical removal.
Lipoma surgery involves making an incision in the skin, excising the lipoma, and closing the wound with sutures.
Risks and Complications
While Lipoma surgery is generally considered safe, it may be associated with certain risks and complications, including:
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the surgical site, particularly if proper wound care is not followed.
- Bleeding: Bleeding from the surgical site may occur during or after surgery, although this is rare.
- Scarring: Scarring at the incision site is common after lipoma surgery, although the extent of scarring may vary depending on factors such as wound healing and skin type.
- Nerve Damage: There is a risk of injury to nerves near the surgical site, which may cause temporary or permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area.
- Recurrence: In some cases, lipomas may recur after surgical removal, particularly if not completely excised or if the underlying cause of the lipoma is not addressed.
Recovery and Post-operative Care
After lipoma surgery, patients will typically be discharged home the same day or after a short observation period.
Recovery times vary depending on the size and location of the lipoma, as well as individual factors such as overall health and fitness. During the recovery period, patients may receive the following post-operative care:
- Pain Management: Pain medications may be prescribed to manage discomfort or pain after surgery.
- Wound Care: Patients will need to keep the surgical site clean and dry and follow any specific wound care instructions provided by their healthcare provider. This may include changing dressings and keeping the incision site covered.
- Activity Restrictions: Patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or driving for a certain period following the procedure to allow the incision to heal properly.
- Monitoring: Patients will be closely monitored for signs of complications such as infection, bleeding, or delayed wound healing.
Follow-up Care
Follow-up care is essential for patients who have undergone skin/lipoma surgery and may include:
- Suture Removal: Patients may need to return to their healthcare provider to have sutures removed from the incision site, typically within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
- Wound Check: Patients will be monitored for signs of infection or other complications at follow-up appointments.
- Monitoring for Recurrence: Patients will be monitored for signs of lipoma recurrence, particularly if multiple or large lipomas were removed during surgery.