Excision of Lipoma HF#4751

Before Surgery

• The time you take off work depends on your job and the location and size of the lipoma.  Plan to take it easy for a couple of days.  Talk with your doctor about this.
• Do your household and outdoor chores ahead of time, or make plans for someone to help you.
• Plan things that do not require a lot of standing or lifting.
• Have meals ready that are easy to prepare.
• Plan for someone to help you with your children for a couple of days, if needed.

After Surgery

• You may shower.  Avoid soaking the incision in water (no tub baths or swimming until healed). 
• Do not do activities that pull on the incision.  You will most likely have dissolvable stitches with a few steri-strips (white pieces of tape) over the incision.  They will fall off in about 5 days.  Do not pull them off.
• Wear loose fitting clothing for a few days.
• Plan for rest, but also move around the house as much as you can.  You can resume your normal routine when you feel ready.
• Do not drive while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.
• Do not do any strenuous exercise until you see your doctor at your first clinic visit.
• Do not do heavy lifting.  This will depend on the location of the incision. 
• There may be small areas of bruising.
• Check your incision daily for signs and symptoms of infection: increased redness or swelling, red or hot incision, foul smelling drainage, or a fever over 100° F.
• Plan to visit your doctor in about one week.

Call your doctor for

• Fever over 100° F for 2 consecutive readings, 4 hours apart
• Excess swelling
• Increased redness at incision site
• Bleeding or pus from incision
• Increase in pain

Phone Numbers

 

General Surgery Clinic (608-263-7502

 

After hours and weekends, ask for the doctor on call for Dr.  ____________________. 

Leave your name and phone number with the area code and you will be called back.

 

Toll free Hospital Number:  (800) 323-8942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 11/29/2012

Copyright © 07/27/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4751

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