Tearful rugby player gets his giant 9lb lipoma removed from his shoulder by Dr Pimple Popper - who compares it to a 'big baby' as it fills the surgical tray

  • Inoke, 51, who is originally from Fiji but lives in the US, had lipoma for ten years
  • He has the 9lb lump removed in tonight's episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper 
  • Dr Sandra Lee is left in shock and compares the size of the bump to a 'big baby' 

A tearful rugby player has a giant 9lb lipoma removed from his shoulder in Dr Pimple Popper.  

In tonight's episode of the TLC show, Fijian born-and-bred, Inoke, 51, who now lives in the US, explains how for the past 10 years, he's had the huge protrusion which has continued to grow rapidly in size.

'I first noticed it when it was the size of a half a golf ball, but I didn't think much of it. Over the last five years it has grown to what it is now,' Inoke reveals. 

Bulging outwards, the lump is a constant source of inconvenience for him, making little tasks, such as putting on t-shirts and taking a shower, a challenge.

Inoke, 51, who was born in Fiji but lives in the US, has his 10-year-old lipoma removed from his shoulder in tonight's episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper

Inoke, 51, who was born in Fiji but lives in the US, has his 10-year-old lipoma removed from his shoulder in tonight's episode of TLC's Dr Pimple Popper

The rugby player becomes emotional following the procedure, before showing the expert his dance moves. Pictured, Dr Sandra Lee at work

The rugby player becomes emotional following the procedure, before showing the expert his dance moves. Pictured, Dr Sandra Lee at work

'The lump has restricted me quite a bit,' he explains. 'I knock on the shower door when I go in, and that one hurts because it's metal and sharp. You're always reminded that you've got a buddy that is coming in the shower with you.' 

And going out is a near impossible task too, as Inoke struggles to hide his embarrassment. 

'I don't really enjoy going to the supermarket or the store as much as I used to,' he admits. 'I always get stared at. I get weird looks all the time. Occasionally I get a question about what it is, but I just brush it off as an old rugby injury.' 

Proud of his Fijian heritage, one of the biggest problems the lump causes Inoke is stopping him taking part in his favourite activity: dancing.

Inoke (pictured) explains how he's worried about the lump's effect on his health, as he has seen a couple of doctors who informed him that the bump is potentially cancerous

Inoke (pictured) explains how he's worried about the lump's effect on his health, as he has seen a couple of doctors who informed him that the bump is potentially cancerous

Dr Lee (pictured) takes the lipoma in one hand and begins snipping it away from Inoke's muscles

Dr Lee (pictured) takes the lipoma in one hand and begins snipping it away from Inoke's muscles

'I'm very much involved with the Fijian community in Northern California,' he says. 'I used to dance traditionally, but I haven't been able to perform any of the traditional dances because of the limitations I have.' 

But above everything else, he is worried about the lump's effect on his health, as he has seen a couple of doctors who informed him that the bump is potentially cancerous. 

Out of fear, he never followed up with a biopsy, and his wife and children have been pleading for him to get it removed.

WHAT IS A LIPOMA?

Lipomas are non-cancerous lumps caused by an overgrowth of fat cells.

They can form anywhere on the body, but are most common on the neck, shoulders, abdomen and back.

They are usually just under the skin, shaped like a dome and soft to touch.

They occur in about one in every 1,000 people in the US. and about one in 100 people in the UK.

Doctors are unsure of what causes lipomas, but believe it may be due to an inherited faulty gene or physical trauma

Most do not cause any pain unless they are deep in the body and press on nerves or organs.

If a lipoma affects the bowels, it may cause constipation and nausea.

Most lipomas do not need removing, but surgery may be necessary if the growth is large, causing symptoms or unsightly.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Advertisement

'It was tough, telling your wife and kids that what I have could be cancerous and could take me away from my family earlier than I would like to,' an emotional Inoke admits. 

Despite being nervous, he pays Dr Lee a visit and listens intently as she offers her diagnosis. 

'The fact that you've had this for a decade or so and you're very healthy otherwise, really kind of tells me that this is likely benign,' Dr Lee says. 

'I think this very possibly could be a lipoma. Today's the day you lose this bump.' 

Relieved, Inoke is ready to have his shoulder lump removed off for good. 

'You're going to use up all of my Kleenex!' Dr Lee jokes as she takes him into theatre. 

Numbed up and ready to go, she makes her initial incision and confirms her diagnosis: Inoke has a lipoma.

Wriggling her fingers under his skin, Dr Lee carefully coaxes the fatty mass free. 

Pulling on it slowly, the expert gradually eases the brain-like tissue out of Inoke's arm, and thankfully, it's cooperating nicely. 

Working carefully not to cut any blood vessels or nerves, Dr Lee then takes the lipoma in one hand and begins snipping it away from Inoke's muscles.

Suddenly, the lipoma is free – and it's a big one. Plopped into a medical tray, Dr Lee can't get over the size of the lump she's just removed from her patient's arm. 

Inoke reveals the lipoma is a constant source of inconvenience for him, making little tasks, such as putting on t-shirts and taking a shower, a challenge. Pictured, with Dr Sandra Lee

Inoke reveals the lipoma is a constant source of inconvenience for him, making little tasks, such as putting on t-shirts and taking a shower, a challenge. Pictured, with Dr Sandra Lee 

Shocked by the size of the lipoma, Dr Sandra Lee jokes: 'Oh you got the reward. Congratulations! That is a baby, a big baby!' Pictured, Inoke during the procedure

Shocked by the size of the lipoma, Dr Sandra Lee jokes: 'Oh you got the reward. Congratulations! That is a baby, a big baby!' Pictured, Inoke during the procedure

'That was a satisfying one. I think that's one of the first times we've filled that tray - and it's overflowing!' 

Weighing in at 9lb 2oz, Inoke's lipoma is one of the biggest Dr Lee has ever dealt with. 

'Oh you got the reward. Congratulations! That is a baby, a big baby!' the expert laughs. 

As a token of his appreciation, Inoke cannot leave the clinic without treating her to some traditional Fijian dancing.

Two months on from his operation, he is almost unrecognizable; he's confident, happy and, most importantly, lump free.

'Since the procedure my life has changed dramatically,' he smiles. 'I'm able to put on my shirts, wear clothes a bit easier, and I'm able to do things I wasn't able to do for quite some time. 

I have a second chance at life and for that I'm really grateful!' 

Dr Pimple Popper airs Thursdays at 10pm tonight exclusively on TLC

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.