A Weight Off His Shoulder | Dr. Pimple Popper
A Weight Off His Shoulder | Dr. Pimple Popper
Please scroll down to watch the video.👇👇
“A Weight Off His Shoulder” is an episode from the TV series Dr. Pimple Popper, featuring dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee, where a patient presents with a large lipoma or benign growth on their shoulder. The title is a play on words — both literal (removing the physical mass) and emotional (relieving psychological burden).
🏥 How Dr. Pimple Popper Removes a Large Lipoma (Like in “A Weight Off His Shoulder”)
Here’s a step-by-step overview of the medical procedure often seen in these cases, based on dermatologic surgery standards:
🔬 1. Initial Consultation and Diagnosis
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Palpation: Dr. Lee feels the lump to assess mobility, texture, and depth.
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Ultrasound or MRI (if needed): To rule out other masses or if it’s unusually large/deep.
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Diagnosis: Lipoma (a benign tumor of fatty tissue).
🔹 Reference:
Kransdorf, M. J. (1995). Benign soft-tissue tumors in a large referral population: distribution of specific diagnoses by age, sex, and location.
PubMed
💉 2. Preparation and Anesthesia
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Local anesthesia (like lidocaine) is injected around the mass.
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The patient remains awake, and the area becomes numb.
✂️ 3. Surgical Removal
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A small incision is made directly over the lump.
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Dr. Lee carefully dissects around the lipoma, separating it from surrounding tissue.
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The mass is pulled or scooped out, often in one piece if encapsulated.
🧠 Lipomas can range from a few centimeters to over 20 cm in rare cases.
🧵 4. Closure and Dressing
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The cavity is inspected for bleeding.
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Dr. Lee may use dissolvable internal sutures and external stitches.
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A pressure bandage is applied to prevent fluid build-up.
💬 5. 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 in 7–14 days.
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Dr. Lee reassures the patient—often a big emotional relief!
🧠 Why These Cases Are Emotionally Powerful
Patients often live with these lipomas for years or decades, due to fear, embarrassment, or lack of access to care. Removal is not only medically necessary but also psychologically freeing.
🧬 Lipomas are non-cancerous and composed of adipose (fatty) tissue. They’re usually slow-growing and painless, unless pressing on nerves or muscles.
📺 Want to Watch?
This specific episode aired as part of Dr. Pimple Popper (Season 4, Episode 10), originally aired in 2020 on TLC.
✅ 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 — here’s a detailed, referenced breakdown of the procedure shown in “A Weight Off His Shoulder” from Dr. Pimple Popper, focusing on the removal of a large lipoma, its physical and emotional impact, and the evidence-based medical standards behind the treatment.
🧠 What Is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor made of mature adipose (fat) cells, typically found in the subcutaneous tissue.
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Texture: Soft, doughy, and mobile.
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Location: Shoulders, back, arms, and neck are common.
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Symptoms: Usually painless, unless pressing on nerves or muscles.
📚 Reference:
Bancroft LW, Kransdorf MJ. “Lipomatous soft-tissue tumors.” Radiol Clin North Am. 2011.
PubMed Link
🏥 Procedure Shown in “A Weight Off His Shoulder”
1. Pre-Op Evaluation
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Physical Exam: Dr. Sandra Lee assesses mobility, size, and depth of the lipoma.
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Imaging: Large masses may require ultrasound or MRI to rule out vascular or deeper involvement.
📚 Reference:
“Ultrasound for lipomas: diagnosis and guidance for excision.” BMJ Case Reports
Case Report
2. Anesthesia
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A local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine with epinephrine) is injected to numb the area.
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Epinephrine constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding during excision.
📚 Reference:
Becker DE, Reed KL. “Local anesthetics: review of pharmacological considerations.” Anesth Prog. 2012.
PubMed
3. Surgical Excision of the Lipoma
🛠️ Key Techniques:
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A linear or elliptical incision is made over the lump.
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Dr. Lee performs blunt and sharp dissection to free the lipoma from surrounding tissue.
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She removes the entire encapsulated mass, sometimes referred to as “shelling out” the lipoma.
📚 Reference:
Bjerke R, Maloney ME. “Excision of lipomas.” Dermatologic Surgery Manual. 2000.
4. Post-Removal Closure
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The cavity is irrigated and inspected for bleeding.
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Layered closure 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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A pressure dressing is applied to reduce hematoma or seroma formation.
📚 Reference:
“Wound Closure Techniques.” Surgical Clinics of North America, 2009.
PubMed
5. Recovery and Follow-Up
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Most patients recover fully with:
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7–14 days of wound care
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Low risk of recurrence (under 5% if fully removed)
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Emotional relief — especially in visible or burdensome lipomas
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📚 Reference:
Aust MC et al. “Lipomas after removal: recurrence rate and complications.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2007.
PubMed
🧘♂️ Emotional & Psychological Impact
In this episode, the patient describes feeling self-conscious, isolated, and physically burdened for years. Removal brought both:
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Physical relief from the weight and discomfort
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Emotional transformation, feeling “normal” again
🧠 Lipomas can cause body image issues, anxiety, and avoidance behavior — especially if large or visible.
📚 Reference:
Cash TF. “Body Image and Health: The Long Road to Acceptance.” Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention. 2011.
📺 “A Weight Off His Shoulder” – Recap Summary
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 🩺 Diagnosis | Benign lipoma confirmed via physical exam |
| 💉 Anesthesia | Local lidocaine injection to numb the area |
| ✂️ Excision | Clean removal of encapsulated fatty mass |
| 🧵 Closure | Layered sutures and dressing |
| 🧘 Relief | Immediate emotional and physical improvement |
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