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Original poster

Is it possible to get rid of, or reduce a lipoma yourself?

37 replies

diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:11

Anybody know any old wives tales or methods for removing a fatty lipoma, medium sized on top of leg? It's getting bigger and bigger and I'm getting really self consious about it.
I know the NHS won't do it and I can't afford to pay a £1000 to have it removed privately!

I'm tempted to stick a pin in it and see what happens sterilised of course [shame]

OP posts:
Frenchfemme · 15/11/2014 15:16

Not much help (sorry) but I had one on the top of my thigh for a few years, and realised a couple of months ago that it had disappeared of its own accord. As it is getting bigger, I assume you have consulted a doctor to reassure yourself its nothing to worry about?

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:19

I don't think it's anything sinister, I've had it a couple of years, but the last month or so it's gotten bigger.
I just want rid of it.

(I also had one that disappeared on it's own, but this one is in for the long haul) Sad

OP posts:
TheMaddHugger · 15/11/2014 15:28

Sorry, no. i have them too.

A pin wont do anything. its a fatty lump. Not a zit or boil

Kundry · 15/11/2014 15:31

No.Absolutely zilch will happen if you stick a pin in it, except that it will hurt. The whole thing needs excising.

If it's getting bigger you should have it checked.

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:31

I might go to the docs to check for sure whether it's a cyst or lipoma.
I'm hoping it's a cyst, then I can do a DIY op. Lipoma - not so easy.

(things the NHS has reduced us to) those that have no money

OP posts:
Nillia · 15/11/2014 15:33

Have you put on weight recently OP.

Wowthishurtsalot · 15/11/2014 15:33

My dad gets these - no sooner do they cut them out then another appears somewhere else.

He has his removed on the NHS. He's given up getting them removed now but at one point had 4 removed from one arm at once.

dragonflyinthelillies · 15/11/2014 15:34

I'm afraid the only way you can remove a lipoma is with a scapel and stitches, its certainly not a home diy job!

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:36

Have you put on weight recently OP.

No Nillia.
Crazily, if I were to go home and stuff myself silly with food for the next couple of years, I'm sure they would happily fork out £8000 or more for me to have bariatric surgery.
The NHS system is crazy.

OP posts:
yellowdinosauragain · 15/11/2014 15:36

You can get a lipoma or a cyst excised on the nhs. And if a lipoma is getting bigger it should be excised, or at least biopsied as very occasionally they can turn into liposarcomas, a cancerous lump. This is rare so don't get too worried, and they can increase in size anyway but get it checked... (I'm a surgeon)

MisForMumNotMaid · 15/11/2014 15:37

If you're really self concious and its effecting you then don't you qualify to get it done on the NHS?

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:37

What about liposuction?

I know it would probably come back, but it would be flat for a while.
Liposuction has to be cheaper as well?
Or would a cortisone injection reduce it?

Is there a Doctor in the House?

OP posts:
yellowdinosauragain · 15/11/2014 15:38

And no idea where you've got it from that the nhs wouldn't remove this. I can only presume you've never seen anyone about it as is a pretty common procedure.

Kundry · 15/11/2014 15:38

You can't do a DIY op on a cyst, don't be fooled by the youtube videos popping them. They whole case of the cyst needs to be excised or they just come straight back again.

And many GPs still do minor ops for things like this.

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:39

You can get a lipoma or a cyst excised on the nhs. And if a lipoma is getting bigger it should be excised, or at least biopsied as very occasionally they can turn into liposarcomas, a cancerous lump. This is rare so don't get too worried, and they can increase in size anyway but get it checked... (I'm a surgeon)

thanks yellow.
I will make an appointment at GP - It won't hurt to ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:40

Every NHS site I've been on says that a fatty lipoma is a 'cosmetic procedure' and not generally done on the NHS Confused

OP posts:
Kundry · 15/11/2014 15:41

There are at least 2 doctors on this thread advising you to a) see you GP, b) don't try anything yourself and c) NHS treatment is a possibility especially if it is growing. As well as others saying they have had theris removed on the NHS. FWIW I am a doctor and have had minor lumps removed on the NHS.

Liposuction, cortisone injections and stabbing it with a pin are all the wrong treatments.

Go and see your GP about it.

Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:43

If you're really self concious and its effecting you then don't you qualify to get it done on the NHS?

If it were on my face, I would have more of an argument, but this is right at the top of my outer thigh (actually right on top of my hip bone)

OP posts:
Original poster
diydivadoit · 15/11/2014 15:46

Thanks for the advice.
I will leave the pin alone - and youtube! Shock I'm too squeamish anyway.
And I will definitely make an appointment to see my GP.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Thanks again Smile

OP posts:
ChelsyHandy · 15/11/2014 16:20

I would get it checked out. I am no doctor, but I had one on my hand that kept getting bigger. GP was strangely unconcerned and told me it was "just a cyst or a fatty lump". One day a piece of wood (far bigger than a skelf), followed by a lot of pus, erupted out of it. Hope you get a more concerned GP. I felt glad to avoid blood poisoning.

DaisyFlowerChain · 15/11/2014 16:35

Ask your Doctor. A friend recently had one removed that was not on show, no stitches needed and in and out of the doctors in about ten minutes.

InVinoHumiliatas · 15/11/2014 16:38

I have one at the top of my spine. It really annoys me as it aches sometimes, due to pulling the muscles out of shape, I think.

Is yours diffuse or intact? Doctors won't remove mine because it is diffuse and they say it will just grow back.

Sallystyle · 15/11/2014 16:43

I am smothered in them. I mean smothers, GP can't even count them and they hurt when touched and itch when new ones come up.

There is not a part of my body now that isn't covered in them.

The NHS won't remove mine because I have too many. Doesn't matter how they make me feel, how much the hurt, how much it interferes with my life, they won't touch me as I would just be one huge scar. They won't even touch the extra big ones on my ribs which really hurt when I lay on my side.

AwkwardSquad · 15/11/2014 18:01

U2, that sounds awful. You should have some choice about having ones that really affect you being removed. That response is far too black and white.

OP, I had a large lipoma removed on the NHS because it was causing me discomfort but also because it was growing unusually fast. I had an MRI, then the op, then they tested the lump even though all along they had been pretty sure it was benign (it was).

If it's on your hip I would imagine that it will start rubbing, if it isn't already. Go back to your GP?

Original poster
diydivadoit · 16/11/2014 15:15

Sorry to hear it U2. It must be difficult to cope with that many.. I feel for you Sad

Awkwardsquad, the one I have does rub a bit, but it's not painful.
(because of where it is, I've wondered whether it could also be a bulging vein, that could burst)
Aren't there lots of arteries and veins round that area?

Another good reason for getting it checked. I've always assumed it's a lipoma, but I'm not 100% sure.
And another good reason NOT to stick a pin it it! Shock

It seems as if these lipomas affect a lot of people.
I wonder what causes it?

OP posts: