TBH Medical is a direct primary care (DPC) provider in Colorado Springs, CO. Aja Hardesty, MSN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, is a double board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Colorado Springs with 15+ years of emergency room, urgent care, and primary care experience. With direct primary care, you skip the hassles of insurance and pay a low-cost monthly membership fee to have faster and more personalized access to essential primary care services – Same-Day or Next-Day Appointments – No Copays. No Deductibles. No Surprise Bills – Clear Upfront Pricing and Great Personalized Care!
Direct Primary Care is a great option if you don’t currently have medical coverage or wish to pair it with a high-deductible plan or a military plan. And you’ll definitely enjoy the much shorter wait times to be seen!
We want your cyst/lipoma removal to be as simple and quick as possible for you.
Cysts are closed pockets of tissue that may or may not be filled with liquid, pus, or other material. They can form as a result of a skin infection, an oil (sebaceous) gland blockage, or foreign objects embedded in the skin (e.g., earrings).
Lipomas are slow-growing lumps of fat cells that develop between the skin and muscle. They are usually caused by genetics. The cause of lipomas is largely unknown.
Both cysts and lipomas are almost always benign (harmless). However, it is recommended that all new or rapidly changing growths be evaluated by a medical practitioner.
Generally speaking, your nurse practitioner at TBH Medical may be able to make a quick diagnosis after palpating your mass to assess its size, shape, and characteristics.
For many cysts or lipomas, visual examination will be all that is needed in order to proceed. We may order a biopsy or an ultrasound for large masses or deep lumps with atypical features.
Yes. In many cases, we can diagnose a cyst or lipoma during your initial consultation at TBH Medical and recommend removal.
A simple general surgery is required to completely remove the mass along with the capsule.
Usually, a cyst or lipoma is benign and may not require removal as long as it does not interfere with everyday life, cause pain, or lead to recurrent infections or cosmetic problems.
Cysts or lipomas may occasionally be improved with steroid injection therapy to help alleviate inflammation in the case of a cyst, or to produce a slight reduction in the case of a lipoma. Surgery, however, is the only reliable method of complete removal.
Your general surgery procedure includes:
Most patients experience minor pressure, but no pain, during cyst and lipoma removal. An injection of a local anesthetic numbs the area entirely prior to making the skin incision.
Usually 30-60 minutes in our office.
Sutures are usually necessary to close the incision and ensure proper healing. Sutures will either dissolve over time or be removed at a follow-up appointment.
The area is injected with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to anesthetize (numb) the surrounding skin and tissue.
You will need to keep the area clean and dry, use a prescribed topical ointment, and change the bandages as needed while your incision heals.
The skin will heal within 1-2 weeks, but recovery deeper in the tissue can continue gradually over weeks.
You should avoid heavy lifting, intense exercise, and swimming until all stitches are removed or have completely dissolved.
With any type of incision, a small scar will always remain. However, we take great care with our surgical technique to minimize scarring as much as possible.
The risks of general surgery include:
If the entire mass and sac were successfully removed, cysts and lipomas rarely grow back, though you can always expect another growth to occur nearby.
TBH Medical does not bill insurance, so our out-of-pocket prices are often lower than paying an insurance deductible for the same procedure.
The cost of the exam and removal surgery is included in your membership.
DPC means personalized, patient care with affordable, transparent pricing and open access to your provider. You avoid the hassles of insurance and can usually be seen and treated sooner.
Our NP has extensive experience performing this type of surgery and is dedicated to providing excellent patient care.
Nothing at all other than your normal bathing routine and wearing loose, comfortable clothes.
Tell us all of your medications so we can make a recommendation if you should stop certain medicines, such as blood thinners, before your surgery.
A quick appointment is typically booked 1-2 weeks after the surgery to check your incision and remove stitches if they were not dissolvable.
Contact us directly at TBH Medical in Colorado Springs, CO, if your incision is overly red, painful, swollen, or discharging. Your provider is ready to address your problem.