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Original poster

Lipoma on back

23 replies

Ramina · 24/02/2023 16:16

Hi I have a lipoma on my back in between my shoulder blade. I’ve had a scan to confirm this. The doctor said that’s what it is and that’s it. But it hurts me when I’ve been active, like a burning sensation. Also when I sit back on a chair i can feel it sticking out so it’s uncomfortable. I really want to have it removed. Has anyone had it removed on the NHS? The doctor said it’s cosmetic so they won’t do it.

OP posts:
Snoopey · 24/02/2023 16:28

They aren't usually removed unless they are causing you discomfort / pain - which it seems to be doing when your sitting back on a chair. I had two removed on the NHS as they were pressing down on nerves causing other symptoms.

Fannieannie63 · 24/02/2023 16:28

Hi there, my dp has a lipoma on the back of his head behind his ear and it’s really large. In the past, it has been removed on the nhs, it always grows back. Recently went to gp about it and was referred and had a letter saying that the nhs do not do this procedure anymore. They also state that mitigating circumstances to have the procedure cannot include amongst other things mental health in other words, you cannot say, ‘the position and size is severely affecting my mental health’. My dps lipoma is really quite big and it’s very unsightly and he’s really embarrassed about it. I looked into the cost and it’s upwards of 1K to remove, 2K if larger. It’s really sad that he has to live with this and just wrong that they are not routinely removed by the nhs.

Musicaltheatremum · 24/02/2023 16:37

My son had this and because it was causing him discomfort and was quite large it was removed on the NHS

Crikeyalmighty · 24/02/2023 19:23

My H has quite a large one on his forehead near his hairline

PickAChew · 24/02/2023 19:29

I have my own back boob that I really need to have removed. It's most definitely not cosmetic - it's very uncomfortable and irritated by chairs, my bra strap, sleeping on my back... . Apparently if they're larger than a certain size or painful, they should be removed and checked.

AmberGer · 24/02/2023 19:52

I had one removed on nhs when I was about 27- 28. Consultant said I was very young to have one and it's never come back.

Lipoma on back
Original poster
Ramina · 25/02/2023 15:48

hi
firstly I really appreciate all the comments. They are far more common than I thought. It’s seems to be a mixed bag of the NHS removing them and not. I’ve got an appointment on the 10th of March with my GP I’m really hoping they will agree with removal. I’ll keep you updated
Thanks guys!

OP posts:
Spokentruth · 30/03/2023 21:01

Hi OP, how did you get on? i have a big one on my back (just posted) about 3 x 3 inches. Biopsied about 8 years ago but they wouldn't remove it. Mine's also like a 3rd boob on my back! In fact it's probably bigger than my actual ones! 🙄

Luckydog7 · 30/03/2023 21:05

My dr says it depends on the size. Mine was 5cm and they opted to remove under general. NO pain from it and i had had it for years. They thought there was a chance of changing from benign and as they wanted it biopsied anyway they said they might as well remove it. This was about 4 years ago.

cozycat1 · 30/03/2023 21:15

I had a cyst in same kind of area,small but slowly getting bigger with the stuff collecting inside it. First doc thought it was lipoma and said nhs don't remove as its cosmetic and harmless. Years later (ie last year) I decided to get it removed privately as people were commenting on it when swimming. Went to a GP surgery that held a private clinic one morning a week for that kind of stuff,much cheaper than a proper full on private facility.the doc said it was actually a cyst but NHs stull wouldn't remove it uness it got infected.Cost me £550.Took less than half an hour and they said go back to nhs for stitch removal which I did. Would have been 1.5k ish plus a consultation fee of around £150 to £200 to go elsewhere.

CrystalMaisie · 30/03/2023 21:18

Dr Sandra Lee (dr pimple popper) removes even massive ones with local anaesthetic. Would be cheaper presumably?

Spokentruth · 30/03/2023 21:21

CrystalMaisie · 30/03/2023 21:18

Dr Sandra Lee (dr pimple popper) removes even massive ones with local anaesthetic. Would be cheaper presumably?

What would that smell like after 22 years? 🤓
I swear that's why they didn't want to remove mine. They said the smell was awful even in biopsy.

Original poster
Ramina · 30/03/2023 21:32

Hi everyone
sorry for late update. I went to the GP who examined me again and confirmed it was a lipoma. Said she doubted very much that they would remove it on the NHS as it’s cosmetic but it was worth a try and wrote out a report while I was there so I could see it too. I received a text a few days over saying my referral had been excepted and I would hear from dermatology for an appointment. Still haven’t heard anything from them, so they could still not approve it. It looks to me that it depends a lot on where you live on what they do. I just want the horrible bugger gone 😩

OP posts:
Mercedesbenz2022 · 30/03/2023 21:46

I had one removed from my back , it was approx £470 can’t remember exactly , took about 15 mins or so , had dissolvable sticker , tiny scar
nhs won’t do it

SophiaLarsen · 30/03/2023 22:16

I read the other day that Aquilyx is suitable for use on lipomas. Might be worth looking into?

frizzyandfrazzled · 30/07/2023 20:42

Hi @ramina did you hear back from dermatology? My DP has one on his back and we think it's grown. He need finds it painful to lie flat on a hard surface. He is going to go back to his GP this week.

Original poster
Ramina · 31/07/2023 16:29

Hi @frizzyandfrazzled
no, absolutely nothing. I rang dermatology up a few months ago to see and the secretary said as it’s not an emergency it’s a least a 9 month wait 😩 it’s still there and it still aches when I get tired. I hope DP has better luck than me. Maybe each area is different.

OP posts:
Lovemydaxie · 31/07/2023 16:49

When you eventually get seen make sure you tell them it is painful and lay it on thick. That should fulfill the criteria for removal. The other option is to get referred to a local private hospital that does NHS choose and book as it's usually quicker.

AuntieDolly · 31/07/2023 17:18

My husband has had a couple removed privately- cost around £700

frizzyandfrazzled · 31/07/2023 17:25

Oh how frustrating OP. I hope you get it done this year 😞

Original poster
Ramina · 24/04/2024 11:07

Hi just a quick update. I’ve seen a dermatologist and they are going to remove it. Explained it’s uncomfortable when lying down and it’s grown too. He said as it’s non urgent (thankfully) it won’t be until at least a few months wait. It will be a local anaesthetic and should take 15 minutes. He also said that they send it for a biopsy just to check. Is that the norm?

OP posts:
PickAChew · 24/04/2024 12:02

It's standard to check large and particularly growing lipomas, yes.

mitogoshi · 24/04/2024 12:27

I've got several in my limbs and been told they are cosmetic, they are annoying but as long as they are benign I can understand why they won't remove them. It's normal to biopsy any that are removed

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