Lipoma removal surgery – Lipoma removal – Lipoma surgery removal
What is Lipoma Surgery?
Lipoma removal surgery is a common, minor procedure to excise a lipoma—a soft, benign (non-cancerous) tumour made up of fatty tissue that grows slowly under the skin.
These lumps are typically painless, movable, and harmless, but their location or size can cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns, leading many to choose removal.
Key Facts About Lipoma Removal
- Lipomas are almost always benign and have an extremely low potential to become cancerous.
- Removal is typically a short, straightforward procedure performed under local anaesthesia/ light sedation, meaning you are awake but the area is numb.
- The surgery is highly effective, with a low recurrence rate when performed correctly.
- Recovery is usually quick, with minimal downtime, allowing you to return to most normal activities immediately.
The Lipoma Removal Procedure
The goal of surgery is to completely remove the lipoma capsule to prevent regrowth.
- Anaesthesia: The area around the lipoma is numbed with local anaesthesia.
- Incision: A small incision is made in the skin, typically following natural skin lines to minimize visible scarring.
- Excision: The surgeon carefully separates the lipoma from the surrounding tissue and removes it intact.
- Closure: The incision is closed with dissolvable or non-dissolvable sutures. A pressure dressing is applied to prevent fluid buildup.
Common Issues with Lipomas
While lipomas are harmless, they can cause issues that prompt patients to seek removal:
- Cosmetic Concerns: Visible lumps on exposed areas like the arms, neck, or face can cause self-consciousness.
- Physical Discomfort: Lipomas can cause pain or irritation if they:
- Rub against clothing or straps (e.g., on the shoulder or back).
- Press on nerves, causing tingling or numbness.
- Are located in areas of frequent movement (e.g., the armpit or groin).
- Uncertain Diagnosis: While most are recognizable, some lumps need to be removed and analysed (biopsied) to confirm they are not a more serious growth.
- Rapid Growth or Large Size: A lipoma that grows quickly or becomes very large is often removed to relieve pressure and confirm its benign nature.
When is Lipoma Surgery Required?
Lipoma removal is elective—it’s a choice rather than an emergency. Surgery is typically considered in these situations:
- Symptomatic Lipoma: If the lipoma is causing pain, discomfort, or functional problems (e.g., limiting movement).
- Cosmetic Reasons: If you are unhappy with the appearance of the lump.
- Diagnostic Uncertainty: If the lump has atypical features (firm, fixed, painful, fast-growing) and your doctor recommends removal to rule out other conditions like liposarcoma (a rare cancer).
- Significant Growth: The lipoma is increasing in size consistently over time.
- Location: Lipomas in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (e.g., face, hands, over joints) are often removed.
If the lipoma is small, not growing, and not causing any issues, “watchful waiting” is a perfectly safe option.
Risks and Complications
While lipoma removal is very safe, all procedures carry some risk:
- Scarring: A scar will form at the incision site. Its appearance depends on your skin type, the surgeon’s technique, and how well you care for the wound.
- Hematoma/Seroma: A collection of blood (hematoma) or clear fluid (seroma) can form under the skin. This is usually minor and resolves on its own but may need draining.
- Infection: Rare, but possible. Signs include increased redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus.
- Nerve Damage: Temporary or, very rarely, permanent numbness or tingling in the area if a small skin nerve is affected.
- Recurrence: There is a small chance the lipoma can grow back if any of the capsule is left behind.
- Bleeding: Minor bleeding is common; significant bleeding is very rare.
Recovery and Post-Operative Care
Recovery is typically quick and straightforward.
- Immediately After: You can go home right after the procedure. The area will be numb for a few hours.
- Pain: Any discomfort is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen.
- Wound Care:
- Keep the dressing clean and dry for 24-48 hours.
- After that, you can gently shower. Pat the area dry.
- Avoid soaking the wound in a bath or pool for about a week.
- Activity: You can resume most normal activities immediately. Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for about a week to prevent strain on the incision.
- Sutures: If non-dissolvable stitches were used, they will need to be removed in 7-14 days.
Follow-Up Care
- Suture Removal: If needed, a nurse or your surgeon will remove your stitches at a follow-up appointment.
- Scar Management: Once the wound is fully healed (after ~2 weeks), you can start using silicone gel or sheets to help minimize the appearance of the scar.
- Monitoring: Check the area for any signs of recurrence, though this is uncommon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lipoma Surgery
Is lipoma removal painful?
The procedure itself is not painful due to local anaesthesia. Afterwards, you may feel some mild soreness or tenderness for a few days, easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Will I have a scar?
Yes. Any incision will leave a scar. However, surgeons make incisions along natural skin lines to make the scar as discreet as possible. It will fade significantly over 6-12 months.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure itself is very quick, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and location of the lipoma.
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
Extremely rarely. Lipomas are benign. The vast majority have no potential to become cancerous (liposarcoma). Atypical features prompt removal to rule out cancer, but this is uncommon.
Is removal covered by insurance?
Insurance often covers removal if the lipoma is symptomatic (causing pain, functional issues) or there is diagnostic uncertainty. Purely cosmetic removal may be an out-of-pocket expense.
What is the difference between a lipoma and a cyst?
A lipoma is a soft, movable lump of fatty tissue. A cyst is a closed sac that can contain fluid, pus, or other material, and is often firmer and attached to the skin.
How soon can I drive after surgery?
You can usually drive immediately after the procedure if it was done under local anaesthesia and the lipoma is not in a location that would impair your movement (e.g., on your leg).
Can lipomas be removed without surgery?
There are no reliable non-surgical methods. Liposuction can be used for very large lipomas but may have a higher chance of recurrence as the capsule may not be fully removed.
What causes lipomas?
The exact cause is unknown. They can run in families (genetic predisposition) and sometimes appear after minor trauma to an area.
Will the lipoma grow back?
If the entire lipoma and its surrounding capsule are completely removed, the recurrence rate is very low. Incomplete removal can lead to regrowth.