What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a harmless benign (non-cancerous) tumour made up of fat tissue. It is usually soft, movable, and painless, growing slowly under the skin without causing an issue.

They can develop anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the:

Neck
Shoulders
Back
Abdomen
Arms
Thighs

And can range from 1 to 10cm in diameter, with the vast majority being under 5cm.

While the exact cause of lipoma development is unknown, they can be linked to:

Genetic prevalence – they can run in families, making it more likely you will get them if your parents have them
Injury or trauma – though this is debated among medical professionals
Certain medical conditions – like Gardner’s syndrome or Madelung’s disease

Doctors recommend leaving lipomas in place unless the tumour becomes painful, grows very rapidly, interferes with bodily movement or function, or affects self-confidence thanks to its position on the body.

If you choose skin lipoma removal, you don’t need to try and get an appointment with your GP, simply contact Aesthetics of Essex today to see how we can help you!

Lipoma removal – what to expect

For those looking for skin lipoma removal, there are generally two options to consider – surgical excision or liposuction.

The procedures for both are explored in more detail below.

Surgical removal of lipomas

If you opt for the surgical removal route, try not to be worried – the procedure is short, painless, and recovery is complete in a few weeks.

First, your experienced doctor will use a local anaesthetic to numb the lipoma and the immediate area around it.

This ensures you are comfortable and feel no pain during the procedure.

Then, a small incision is made over the lipoma and the tumour is carefully separated from the surrounding tissue and removed.
Once the area is lipoma-free, the wound is closed with stitches and a dressing is applied.

Liposuction lipoma removal

If appropriate, your doctor may apply anaesthetic and use a needle, syringe, and liposuction method to draw the fatty tissue out.
Then, the small site is closed over to stop infection.

Your doctor will advise on the specific healing period of this procedure, based on the exact method they use.

Is removing a large lipoma the same?

While this will differ from person to person, it is more likely that a surgical technique will be used when removing a large lipoma.

Lipoma removal recovery

After surgical removal or liposuction, you might notice some tenderness and bruising at the procedure site but you are free to go home and rest.

You should try to avoid strenuous activities within this healing period and should use over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or paracetamol to remain comfortable.

Your stitches may be dissolvable or need to be removed after 7-10 days, at which time the incision site should be healing well – leaving minimal scarring, if any.

For fast and fuss-free lipoma removal, contact AoE

Completed by experienced medical staff, skin lipoma removal can take just an hour from start to finish – leaving you confident and summer-ready!