Lipoma (large lump) removal

Verbrannt16

Hi all, I've had a large lipoma on my upper back for nearly six years (for anyone who doesn't know what a lipoma is: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lipoma/)

I've put up with it as it doesn't cause me any pain but I've always intended to see about having it removed, which I'm told would have to done privately as it's cosmetic, fair enough.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done here in NI before; if so where, how much it cost, was it done under local anaesthetic or general? My GP advised me to leave it alone as removing it could lead to keloid scars developing, but I feel they'd be easier to hide than the lipoma, which is quite prominent.

Very specific questions I know, but would appreciate advice. Thanks.

jenny-wren

My husband has had a few removed (belly and middle of the back). It was done on the NHS at Lagan Valley Hospital under local anaesthetic maybe 8 years or so ago. If the treatment is considered cosmetic it likely won't be covered by the NHS but if it is large or interferes with daily life by catching on clothes, bag straps etc. a doctor should be able to make a referral. The only problem would be the NHS waiting list ... which may be in terms of years rather than months.

His lipomas were about the size of a marble and the scars are each about an inch long, flat and not keloid. He was told that lipomas can recur as once you have one you are more likely to have another.

Hope this helps.

Bigcammy

I had a small one on one of my shoulder blades. As it was bothering me my doctor removed it under local anaesthetic, but I stress it was small so was a minor procedure

[Deleted User]

My husband had one removed on the back of his neck that was quite large, he had to wait a few months and had it done under general in an NHS hospital. Its left an angry scar but it looks better than the lump.

Once you have one removed, allegedly another is likely to pop up somewhere else and lo and behold he now has one on the side of his lower abdomen. He says he doesn't care as no one can see it, its pretty big though.

We're in England, not NI though.

Verbrannt16

Thanks all - mine is considerably larger than what's already been described here, perhaps 6cm across. Perhaps private will be the only way to go.

moneyistooshorttomention

I had one some years back - right in the crease at the top of my leg. The NHS would have removed it. Not sure if they were prepared to at that time because my clothes had started to rub against it and it was making me feel sore correspondingly?

As it was growing at a distinctly fast pace, then I didn't want to risk waiting to see how long the NHS would take before they did it. So I had it done privately - under local anaesthetic.

That's not exactly an area of my body I would study in great detail iyswim:rotfl: - but I don't think I've got any scarring at all from it afaik.

No further lipomas have come up anywhere since then.

Job done = sorted.

Beenie

I had one, the size of a broad bean, at the top of my leg. It rubbed against clothing and was uncomfortable. The doctor agreed to remove it on the NHS.

The GP did it the following week in his surgery, under a local anaesthetic. He stitched me up and I walked home. I've not had any problems since.

wander44

Hi,

Can you tell us where you had this removed ?
Did you need a referral from your GP ?
How much did it cost ?

Great information
Thanks