Lipoma Removal

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Surgical Treatment at Swift Access Health

Lipoma Removal

Lipomas are benign, slow-growing lumps made up of fatty tissue that form just beneath the skin. They are the most common soft tissue tumour and are almost always entirely harmless. Most people develop them in middle age, most commonly on the neck, shoulders, back, arms, or abdomen. While lipomas do not need to be removed for medical reasons, many patients choose removal when a lipoma grows large enough to cause discomfort, presses against surrounding structures, or is cosmetically bothersome. Occasionally, multiple lipomas can develop — a presentation that may be associated with conditions such as Dercum’s disease.

Lipoma removal is performed by consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons under local anaesthetic as a short outpatient procedure. An incision is made directly over the lipoma, the fatty tissue is carefully dissected free and removed in its entirety, and the wound is meticulously closed with sutures. Patients can return home immediately after the procedure. The specimen is sent for histological analysis to confirm the diagnosis.

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Info

Time

30–45 minutes per lipoma; multiple lipomas can be addressed in a single session

Results

Complete removal with smooth, flat skin contour; histological confirmation of benign nature

Risks

Minor bleeding, infection, bruising, scarring; rare recurrence if lipoma incompletely removed

Recovery

Return to desk work within 24 hours; avoid heavy lifting and exercise for one week

Anaesthetic

Local anaesthetic; no general anaesthetic or hospital stay required

Aftercare

Keep dry for 48 hours; sutures are usually dissolving; scar massage and moisturising thereafter

Why Choose Swift Access Health

Benefits of Lipoma Removal

Expert lipoma removal by a consultant dermatologist or plastic surgeon provides complete, safe excision with minimal scarring, histological peace of mind, and a smooth cosmetic result.

  • Performed by an experienced consultant dermatologist or plastic surgeon with a proven track record of lipoma removal
  • All specimens sent to pathology to confirm benign lipoma and exclude the rare liposarcoma (cancer)
  • Precise dissection technique to ensure complete removal and minimise the risk of recurrence
  • Careful wound closure to produce the smallest, most discreet scar possible
  • Outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic — no hospital admission or general anaesthetic required
  • Scar management advice provided following healing, including moisturising, massage, and sun protection
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Your Patient Journey

1. Your
Consultation

Your skin surgeon will examine the lipoma, assess its size and location, and confirm that surgical removal is the most appropriate course of action. Any concerns about the nature of the lump — features that may warrant further imaging — will be assessed and discussed. The procedure, expected scar, and recovery are explained before consent is obtained.

Your Patient Journey

2. Your
Treatment

Under local anaesthetic, a small incision is made over the lipoma and the fatty tissue is carefully dissected free from surrounding structures and removed whole. The wound is closed in layers with sutures. A small dressing is applied. The procedure typically takes 30–45 minutes. The specimen is sent to the pathology laboratory for histological confirmation.

Your Patient Journey

3. Aftercare

The wound should be kept dry for 48 hours. Sutures are removed after 7–14 days. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least one week to allow the wound to heal fully and reduce the risk of haematoma. Thereafter, regular moisturising and scar massage support the healing and maturation of the scar. Sun protection of the scar is important during the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Lipomas are typically soft, moveable, and painless beneath the skin, with a smooth, rounded contour. They grow slowly and rarely change suddenly in size. If a lump is hard, fixed, painful, growing rapidly, or has any features that concern you, it should be assessed by a surgeon promptly. Imaging such as ultrasound can be helpful for deeper or uncertain lumps.

  • No. Most lipomas are entirely benign and can be safely monitored without treatment. Removal is recommended when the lipoma is causing pain or functional impairment, is growing, or is a source of significant cosmetic concern. Your surgeon will advise on whether removal is clinically indicated or elective.

  • Recurrence after surgical excision is uncommon, provided the lipoma is removed completely. Patients with multiple lipomas (lipomatosis) may develop new lipomas elsewhere over time, as the underlying tendency to form them is not altered by removing existing ones.

  • The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, so the area is completely numb during surgery. Patients may feel pressure or movement but should not experience pain. Some tenderness and bruising around the wound is expected in the days following, which is managed with standard over the counter pain relief.

  • Most patients return to light activities and desk work within 24 hours. Exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least one week. The wound is typically well healed within 2 weeks, and the scar continues to mature and fade over the following months.

  • Yes. Where multiple lipomas require removal, your surgeon will plan the most efficient approach — removing more than one in a single session where clinically safe to do so. This minimises the number of separate procedures and recovery periods required.

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