Lipoma Removal

While lipomas can be a physical burden depending on their size and location, there is another aspect to them—their cosmetic appearance. Regardless of a lipoma’s location, it can cause insecurity and lack of confidence due to its abnormal appearance. This certainly applies to lipomas on the neck and face, but patients with lipomas on their abdomen or thighs may also be self-conscious.

At Lipoma Center Los Angeles, our surgeons are not only skilled in the effective removal of lipomas—they are also among the leading cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles. Their surgery is clean and tight, resulting in scars that are virtually undetectable. For patients seeking lipoma removal for cosmetic reasons, there is no facility more qualified than Lipoma Center Los Angeles.

What are Lipomas?

A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of fat cells contained in a thin, fibrous capsule. In most cases, lipomas are located in the soft tissue directly beneath the skin, making them easy to detect and diagnose. While they can occur almost anywhere on the body, lipomas are most commonly seen on the neck, torso, upper arms, upper thighs and armpits.1

Lipoma Testing & Diagnosis

Lipomas are very common and are often diagnosed without laboratory testing. Symptoms and characteristics of lipomas include:

  • They are usually located directly under the skin
  • They occur most commonly in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs
  • They grow very slowly
  • They feel doughy and soft
  • They move easily when touched
  • They are typically small, not more than two inches in diameter, but can grow to larger sizes
  • They are not typically painful, unless they press against a nerve or contain blood vessels

If you have a fatty tumor or growth that fits the above criteria, it is very likely that it is a lipoma. However, lipomas do share symptoms with other types of rare tumors, so it is important that you have any growth examined and diagnosed by a medical professional.

At Lipoma Center Los Angeles, our diagnostic abilities are rapid and accurate, allowing our patients to move forward with confidence that they will receive the proper treatment.

Reasons for Lipoma Removal

Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors. They are not cancerous, nor will they develop into cancer. That said, there are a number of reasons that patients choose to have their lipomas removed or treated. The most common reason patients seek lipoma removal is because they are troubled by the appearance of the lipoma. Patients may also seek lipoma removal if the lipoma is:

  • Painful or tender to the touch
  • Inflamed or infected
  • Draining foul-smelling discharge
  • Interfering with function or movement
  • Increasing in size

Treatment for Lipomas

When treating lipomas from a cosmetic viewpoint, the primary consideration is the end result. There are several methods of removing lipomas, and the surgeons at the Lipoma Center Los Angeles utilize those that will produce the most aesthetically pleasing result while minimizing the likelihood of lipoma recurrence

There are three general methods for removing lipomas:

Steroid injections

Steroid injections can be used to reduce the size of lipomas. However, this method of treatment rarely eliminates the lipoma completely.

Liposuction

Because lipomas are made of fatty tissue, liposuction can be performed to get rid of most of their mass. Unfortunately, much like steroid injections, liposuction may not be successful in removing the entirety of the lipoma.

Surgical Removal

By far the most effective treatment for lipomas is surgical removal. Lipoma surgery is a brief outpatient procedure that is typically performed under local anesthesia. Because lipomas are usually located directly beneath the skin, the incision is not deep and only leaves a thin scar.2,3

Surgical Lipoma Removal: What to Expect

Because lipomas are surface growths, they are usually easily treated with very little discomfort. Surgical treatment is a very straightforward procedure that is often the most effective option available. Surgery for a lipoma can be conducted on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia and carries little to no risk or downtime.

Preparing for Lipoma Removal

If you have a lipoma that is bothering you, you may consider having it removed. Lipoma removal is a fast, outpatient procedure, and the only thing you need to do to prepare is to attend a consultation with one of our lipoma removal specialists. During this meeting, your surgeon will explain all treatment options for your lipoma, then assist you in making a fully educated decision about your treatment plan.

The Lipoma Removal Procedure

Lipoma removal is typically a quick in-office procedure that is performed with a local anesthetic. Before your lipoma removal, your doctor will inject a numbing agent into the area around the lipoma. A precise incision will be made, and the lipoma will be removed in its entirety. Sutures will then be used to close the incision and the area will be covered with a bandage or gauze pad.

Recovery After Lipoma Removal

No downtime is needed after lipoma removal surgery. You will be able to get back to your normal activities immediately, and any discomfort you experience will be easily managed with over-the-counter medications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lipoma Removal

Will my lipoma come back?

Even if a lipoma is completely removed, there is a chance that it will come back. As lipoma specialists, our doctors have experience in treating recurrent lipomas and can monitor your case to ensure you are treated properly.

Will I have a scar after my lipoma removal?

The doctors at Lipoma Center Los Angeles aren’t only lipoma specialists: they are also highly trained cosmetic surgeons who expertly place and perform incisions. For the majority of our patients, lipoma removal scars are barely visible, if at all.

What will happen if I don’t treat my lipoma?

Lipomas are benign tumors: they are never cancerous, nor will they develop into cancer. In that sense, treatment is not strictly necessary. However, patients frequently choose to have lipomas removed for cosmetic purposes or if their lipoma is causing them discomfort. It is also important to note that lipomas may gradually increase in size, so some patients defer lipoma treatment for some time.

How can I be sure my lump is a lipoma and not something more serious?

It is understandable to feel concerned when you discover a growth or lump under your skin. If your growth exhibits common symptoms of a lipoma, it is likely to be a benign fatty tumor.

While lipomas are by far the most common fatty soft tissue growths, they are sometimes similar in both size and texture to a condition called liposarcoma. Liposarcoma is a rare form of cancer made up of connective tissue that resembles fat cells. Just like lipomas, liposarcoma tumors often occur near the surface of the skin. Also similar to lipomas, liposarcoma tends to affect adults between 40 and 60 years old.

If you have a lump directly under your skin, it is unlikely that it is liposarcoma. Despite this, it is essential to receive testing and diagnosis to give you all the information you need. The professionals at Lipoma Center Los Angeles can examine your growth and perform a biopsy in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. Whatever the condition, we are equipped and prepared to provide the right treatment.

What causes lipomas?

The cause of lipomas is unknown. However, some people are more likely to develop them than others. Risk factors for lipomas include:

  • Gender (women are more likely to develop lipomas than men)
  • A family history of lipomas
  • Age (lipomas are most common in patients between the ages of 40 and 60)
  • Certain medical conditions, such as multiple hereditary lipomatosis, adiposis dolorosa, Cowden syndrome, Madelung disease, Dercum’s disease, and Gardner’s syndrome.4

Contact Us

The Lipoma Center Los Angeles is a complete resource for patients seeking effective cosmetic lipoma treatment and personalized care. For any questions or to set an appointment, please contact our office in Beverly Hills. We will be happy to help.

1 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Lipoma. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/lipoma. Accessed June 12, 2023.
2 Mayo Clinic. Lipoma Diagnosis & Treatment. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374474. Accessed June 12, 2023.
3 Salam GA. Lipoma excision. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Mar 1;65(5):901-4. PMID: 11898962. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11898962/. Accessed June 12, 2023.
4 Charifa A, Azmat CE, Badri T. Lipoma Pathology. [Updated 2022 Dec 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482343/. Accessed June 12, 2023.