A Weight Off His Shoulder | Dr. Pimple Popper
āA Weight Off His Shoulderā is an episode from the TV seriesĀ Dr. Pimple Popper, featuring dermatologistĀ Dr. Sandra Lee, where a patient presents with aĀ large lipomaĀ or benign growth on their shoulder. The title is a play on words ā both literal (removing the physical mass) and emotional (relieving psychological burden).
š„Ā How Dr. Pimple Popper Removes a Large Lipoma (Like in āA Weight Off His Shoulderā)
Hereās a step-by-step overview of theĀ medical procedureĀ often seen in these cases, based on dermatologic surgery standards:
š¬ 1.Ā Initial Consultation and Diagnosis
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Palpation: Dr. Lee feels the lump to assessĀ mobility, texture, and depth.
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Ultrasound or MRI (if needed): To rule out other masses or if itās unusually large/deep.
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Diagnosis: Lipoma (a benign tumor of fatty tissue).
š¹ Reference:
Kransdorf, M. J. (1995).Ā Benign soft-tissue tumors in a large referral population: distribution of specific diagnoses by age, sex, and location.
š 2.Ā Preparation and Anesthesia
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Local anesthesiaĀ (like lidocaine) is injected around the mass.
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The patient remainsĀ awake, and the area becomes numb.
āļø 3.Ā Surgical Removal
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AĀ small incisionĀ is made directly over the lump.
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Dr. Lee carefullyĀ dissects around the lipoma, separating it from surrounding tissue.
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The mass isĀ pulled or scooped out, often in one piece if encapsulated.
š§ Lipomas can range fromĀ a few centimetersĀ toĀ over 20 cmĀ in rare cases.
š§µ 4.Ā Closure and Dressing
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The cavity isĀ inspected for bleeding.
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Dr. Lee may useĀ dissolvable internal suturesĀ andĀ external stitches.
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AĀ pressure bandageĀ is applied to prevent fluid build-up.
š¬ 5.Ā Post-Op Care
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Ice packs, mild pain relievers, and limited arm movement for a few days.
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Sutures are usually removed inĀ 7ā14 days.
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Dr. Lee reassures the patientāoften a big emotional relief!
š§ Why These Cases Are Emotionally Powerful
Patients often live with these lipomas forĀ years or decades, due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of access to care. Removal is not onlyĀ medically necessaryĀ but alsoĀ psychologically freeing.
š§¬Ā LipomasĀ areĀ non-cancerousĀ and composed ofĀ adipose (fatty) tissue. Theyāre usually slow-growing and painless, unless pressing on nerves or muscles.
šŗ Want to Watch?
This specific episode aired as part ofĀ Dr. Pimple Popper (Season 4, Episode 10), originally aired in 2020 on TLC.
ā Summary Table
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Diagnosis | Lipoma confirmed via exam or imaging |
| 2. Anesthesia | Local numbing of the area |
| 3. Incision & Removal | Lipoma dissected and extracted |
| 4. Closure | Sutures and pressure dressing applied |
| 5. Recovery | Minimal pain, big emotional relief |
Absolutely ā hereās aĀ detailed, referenced breakdownĀ of the procedure shown inĀ āA Weight Off His ShoulderāĀ fromĀ Dr. Pimple Popper, focusing on theĀ removal of a large lipoma, its physical and emotional impact, and the evidence-based medical standards behind the treatment.
š§ What Is a Lipoma?
AĀ lipomaĀ is aĀ benign (non-cancerous) tumorĀ made ofĀ mature adipose (fat) cells, typically found in theĀ subcutaneous tissue.
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Texture:Ā Soft, doughy, and mobile.
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Location:Ā Shoulders, back, arms, and neck are common.
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Symptoms:Ā Usually painless, unless pressing on nerves or muscles.
šĀ Reference:
Bancroft LW, Kransdorf MJ. āLipomatous soft-tissue tumors.āĀ Radiol Clin North Am. 2011.
š„ Procedure Shown in āA Weight Off His Shoulderā
1.Ā Pre-Op Evaluation
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Physical Exam:Ā Dr. Sandra Lee assessesĀ mobility, size, andĀ depthĀ of the lipoma.
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Imaging:Ā Large masses may requireĀ ultrasound or MRIĀ to rule out vascular or deeper involvement.
šĀ Reference:
āUltrasound for lipomas: diagnosis and guidance for excision.āĀ BMJ Case Reports
Case Report
2.Ā Anesthesia
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AĀ local anestheticĀ (e.g., lidocaine with epinephrine) is injected to numb the area.
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Epinephrine constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding during excision.
šĀ Reference:
Becker DE, Reed KL. āLocal anesthetics: review of pharmacological considerations.āĀ Anesth Prog. 2012.
3.Ā Surgical Excision of the Lipoma
š ļø Key Techniques:
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AĀ linear or elliptical incisionĀ is made over the lump.
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Dr. Lee performsĀ blunt and sharp dissectionĀ to free the lipoma from surrounding tissue.
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She removes theĀ entire encapsulated mass, sometimes referred to as āshelling outā the lipoma.
šĀ Reference:
Bjerke R, Maloney ME. āExcision of lipomas.āĀ Dermatologic Surgery Manual.Ā 2000.
4.Ā Post-Removal Closure
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The cavity isĀ irrigated and inspectedĀ for bleeding.
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Layered closureĀ is performed using:
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Deep absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl)
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Superficial sutures (e.g., nylon)
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AĀ pressure dressingĀ is applied to reduce hematoma or seroma formation.
šĀ Reference:
āWound Closure Techniques.āĀ Surgical Clinics of North America, 2009.
5.Ā Recovery and Follow-Up
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Most patients recover fully with:
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7ā14 daysĀ of wound care
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Low risk of recurrence (under 5% if fully removed)
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Emotional reliefĀ ā especially in visible or burdensome lipomas
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šĀ Reference:
Aust MC et al. āLipomas after removal: recurrence rate and complications.āĀ Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007.
š§āāļø Emotional & Psychological Impact
In this episode, the patient describes feeling self-conscious, isolated, and physically burdened forĀ years. Removal brought both:
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Physical reliefĀ from the weight and discomfort
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Emotional transformation, feeling ānormalā again
š§ Lipomas can causeĀ body image issues, anxiety, and avoidance behavior ā especially if large or visible.
šĀ Reference:
Cash TF. āBody Image and Health: The Long Road to Acceptance.āĀ Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention.Ā 2011.
šŗ āA Weight Off His Shoulderā ā Recap Summary
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| š©ŗ Diagnosis | Benign lipoma confirmed via physical exam |
| š Anesthesia | Local lidocaine injection to numb the area |
| āļø Excision | Clean removal of encapsulated fatty mass |
| š§µ Closure | Layered sutures and dressing |
| š§ Relief | Immediate emotional and physical improvement |
