Have you ever done a DIY mini op on yourself?

[yesichangedforthis]

If you go to the GP and request they do something and they say ''that comes under cosmetic and you will have to pay'' and you can't afford it, and it's giving you grief, would you
Take Matters Into Your Own Hands?

Okay
So I have a lipoma/cyst/fatty lump on my thigh that is really starting to annoy me. It's been there years so I know it's nothing sinister.
But, it's as annoying as hell.
I've been to the doc and they say it can't be removed on the NHS because it's classed as a cosmetic procedure, and will cost me XXX amount to remove it.
I can't afford it.
So I say, ''I thought you would say that, so I have a back up plan.
I'm going to sterilize the area, sterilize a needle and basically stick a pin in it to drain it.
His reply was ''That won't work, because it will only come back''

My argument is, Yes, it will eventually come back. Ideally the whole thing needs to be excised. Ideally.
However, it will more than likely take quite a while for it ''to come back'' which means I will have X amount of months (maybe even years) before it gets so big again.
So it's in my interests to go ahead, right?
I don't want to go for the rest of my life with a great big blimming lump on my leg.
What to do? If you're poor and can't afford something that's causing you distress?

[HeadlessHorsemad]

How big is the lump?

[Whenwillitgeteasier]

I would totally do it. And video it. 😂

[Santawontbelong]

I got rid of an 18 stone growth.
I divorced him.

[justbeinreal]

I did similar popping a pin in a really infected big toe. Lots of pus I’m afraid but I cleaned it, popped savlon on and it healed up lovely I think you’ll be fine even if it isn’t a long term solution

[DeathByMascara]

I believe you need to take yourself over to Sporners Corner and take advice from seasoned DIYers.

[museumum]

A lipoma has fat cells in it doesnt it? So not fluid? It won’t drain like that.

[yesichangedforthis]

It's big enough for people to comment on it.
It's basically a cyst that needs to have the covering/sac removed as well.

I'm of a mind that, yes, it will eventually fill up again, but it will be small for ages and could take months and months to get to the same size, so it's a win win if I go ahead.

It does seem to have gone harder of late.
Maybe I've left it too long?

[elpinguino]

A lipoma won't drain by sticking a needle in it, it'll make absolutely no difference to it. The only way to get rid of it is a proper excision. These can sometimes be done under local anaesthetic depending on size/location, but involve a surgical excision and stitches to close the wound. It's not something you can do yourself, you'd just run the risk of infection.

[MrsPestilence]

It is a bit lump of fat like you get inside chickens. Won't come out with a pin prick.

How big is it? What bit of your thigh is it on? Is it affecting any nerves or arteries?

[LadyScatterbrain]

Go for it. Just keep everything sterile and use a dressing afterwards.

[yesichangedforthis]

A lipoma has fat cells in it doesnt it? So not fluid? It won’t drain like that.

Thats what I'm worried about.
I think it started off as fluid and now has gone harder.

I hate that the NHS considers these 'things' as cosmetic. It causes people a lot of distress.

They'll happily waste money on other bollocks.
but won't help people like me.

[yesichangedforthis]

Are there any medical people on here?
Any GP's?
Can I have it removed on the NHS if it's causing me distress?

and lets face it, starting a thread on bloody MN for advice is symptom of distress right?

[yesichangedforthis]

I might try the stick a sterile pin in it route one more time, just to confirm whether it's fluid or solid.

[TitaniasCloset]

I want to see it. Can you put a pic up? I have no advice and seeing it won't help me to advise you but I'm just nosy like that.

[flingingmelon]

You need Sporner corner. They’re experts.

[swapsicles]

I don't know about fatty lumps but I've popped Bartholin cysts before.
On here women say they've gone to the docs to get them drained.
I guess it depends on your pain threshold also how big it is.
Also removed my own coil so may not be the best person to advise!

[HeadlessHorsemad]

Is it bigger than 5cm? Any lump larger than that should be referred.

[yesichangedforthis]

If I take a pic on my phone, how do I upload it to here?

[yesichangedforthis]

5cm accross or 5cm protruding?

[LaurieFairyCake]

Well I’d stick a knife in it, wiggle it round, pull as much out as I could.

And then go to the docs to get it stitched up and get antibiotics if it looked lairy.

Because it’s not fucking cosmetic and they ARE going to sort it out after you attack it with a knife/needle.

[Maelstrop]

Yes, swap GPs and tell them it's causing distress, its unsightly, it's preventing you wearing whatever, might work. A mate had hers removed, base of her spine and it just refilled. I've told her, watch the sporn videos, the covering of the cyst, as you say, needs removing. You will be in agony trying to diy.

Saying that, I had a hard one on the inside of my wrist and I kept pushing it as hard as possible and it's virtually disappeared, harder on a non-bony part, of course.

[katienana]

My dh gets these, he had loads of them on his head a few years ago and got them all removed on the nhs. He had to have stitches in which I removed for him.
Op as it is causing you distress can you try again with your gp?

[Inig0M0nt0ya]

Disclaimer: this is probably definitely bad advice.

Proddle it about a bit, best case scenario, it comes out. Worst case scenario it will get infected and the NHS will then deal with it. Job done.

[yesichangedforthis]

OK.
So if I stick a needle in it. Which needle is best.
A darning needle or a fine needle?

[CigarsofthePharoahs]

To be honest op, it sounds like it needs more than a needle. Unless you have access to local anaesthetic, sterile equipment and have the ability to suture, I'd leave well alone.
Having said that, I have been known to do daft things to myself when desperate.