Lipoma Treatment/Removal , Procedure, Recovery & After Care

What Is Lipoma?

Lipomas are slow-growing round or oval-shaped lumps found just below the skin and might dwell peacefully in your body. Lipomas are made of fat and move easily with pressure. They are benign soft tissue tumors that are harmless. Most times, they do not cause any pain or discomfort. The exact cause of lipomas is not known.

However, it is found to run in families and therefore genetics is believed to play a role in their development. Though they can affect both genders, they are slightly more common in women.  Lipomas usually do not require treatment but your doctor may suggest lipoma removal or excision in the following cases:

• Increase in the size of the lipoma
• Increase in the number of lipomas
• When the lump becomes cosmetically unacceptable
• If there is any personal or family history of skin cancer
• If the lipoma is turning painful or is causing discomfort

What Is Lipoma Excision/Removal Surgery

A lipoma excision is a minimally invasive surgery to remove lipoma or fatty lumps that appear on various parts of your body. It is an outpatient procedure and you can return home the same day. It is a short procedure that can take around 20 to 45 minutes. Let’s take a deeper look at the types of lipoma removal surgery .

Different Types of Lipoma Removal Surgery

1. Excision (Surgical Removal):

An excision procedure is performed to surgically remove large lipomas. An incision is made over the skin of the lipoma and a hemostat (a surgical instrument that helps control bleeding) is used to pull the skin upwards. A scalpel (surgical scissor) is inserted into the incision to separate the lipoma from the tissue beneath and then removed. Excision is the only treatment that can completely remove the lipoma. There are lesser chances of recurrence with this procedure.

2. Liposuction:

Liposuction may be an option for removing small lipomas located in areas with good skin elasticity, such as the arms or legs. However, liposuction may not be effective for removing larger lipomas. Here the surgeon makes a small incision near the lipoma through which a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted. The cannula is used to suction out the fatty tissue that makes up the lipoma.

3. Steroid Injections:

Steroid injection, also known as a non-excisional treatment of lipomas uses steroid drugs along with a liposuction procedure to remove fatty lumps on your body. It has proven to be a successful procedure to shrink lipomas, but its aftermath is still being studied. Moreover, this procedure is performed on small lipomas that are less than an inch in diameter.

How Is Lipoma Excision Surgery Done ?

Lipoma excision surgery is a minor surgical procedure that involves removing a lipoma, which is a noncancerous growth of fatty tissue, from the body. Here are the general steps of the procedure.

STEP 1: The surgical site is cleaned and sterilized, and the patient is given anesthesia. Depending on the size and location of the lipoma, the surgeon may use local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or a combination of both.

STEP 2: A 3mm to 4mm sized incision will be made near the lipoma and a surgical instrument (Curette) is inserted to separate the lipoma from the surrounding tissue.

STEP 3: Once the lipoma has been completely separated from the surrounding tissue, the surgeon removes it from the body. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove a small amount of surrounding tissue to ensure that all of the lipomas have been removed.

STEP 4: The surgical incision is closed using sutures or surgical staples, and a dressing is applied to the wound to promote healing and prevent infection. 

The patient can return to normal activities within a few days to a week after the surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure.

NOTE: The steps mentioned above pertain to a normal lipoma excision procedure. It can vary depending on the type of procedure chosen.

Watch Lipoma Treatment by Medfin Dr. Nikhil Reddy Vedire

What To Expect After A Lipoma Excision?

Post-lipoma excision surgery you will experience some amount of pain, swelling, and bruising at the surgical site. There’s nothing to fear as this is normal and these symptoms get better within a week. The surgical site may also be covered with a bandage or dressing, which should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection.

It is common for a small amount of drainage to occur from the wound for the first few days after surgery. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days of the procedure, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks to allow the wound to heal properly.

Why Choose Medfin?

Get treated by some of the best doctors for lipoma Our team of general surgeons is certified and trained to treat complex problems related to lipoma. With over 15+ years of surgical experience, our surgeons suggest advanced surgical procedures that are painless, scarless, and ensure a fast recovery. Think Surgery, Think Medfin !!