Lipoma Removal: A Guide to Treating Soft Skin Lumps
Finding a lump under your skin can be worrying. While the mind often jumps to the worst-case scenario, the most common type of soft tissue lump is actually a Lipoma—a harmless growth of fatty tissue.
While usually benign, lipomas can grow large, become uncomfortable, or simply look unsightly.
At 1 Health in Wigram, we specialize in the surgical removal of lipomas using advanced minor surgery techniques that minimize scarring and downtime.
What is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor made of fat tissue. They typically grow just beneath the skin in the subcutaneous layer.
How to spot one:
- Soft & Doughy: They usually feel soft to the touch.
- Moveable: You can often wiggle them slightly under the skin with your finger.
- Painless: Most are painless, though they can become tender if they press on nearby nerves.
- Slow Growing: They tend to stay the same size or grow very slowly over years.
They are most commonly found on the shoulders, neck, back, arms, and thighs.
Why Remove a Lipoma?
Since they are harmless, you don't have to remove them. However, we often recommend removal (Excision) if:
- Diagnosis is Uncertain: If the lump feels firm or is growing quickly, we remove it to send to the lab to confirm it isn't something more serious (like a liposarcoma).
- Discomfort: The lipoma is pressing on a nerve or sits in an awkward spot (like under a bra strap or belt line).
- Cosmetic: The lump is large, visible, and affecting your confidence.
The Removal Procedure: What to Expect
Removing a lipoma is a straightforward Minor Surgery procedure performed right here at our clinic under local anaesthetic.
1. Anaesthetic We numb the area surrounding the lump. You will be awake but won't feel any pain.
2. The Excision We make an incision over the lipoma.
- Squeeze Technique: For smaller, well-defined lipomas, we can often "pop" them out through a relatively small incision.
- Dissection: For larger or deeper lipomas, we carefully separate the fatty tissue from the surrounding skin and muscle to ensure complete removal.
3. Closure The wound is closed with sutures (stitches). We use careful surgical techniques to ensure the resulting scar is as fine and neat as possible.
Aftercare and Recovery
Most patients return to normal activities almost immediately, though you should avoid heavy lifting or gym workouts for a few weeks to prevent the wound from stretching.
- Keep it Clean: Keep the dressing dry for the first 24–48 hours.
- Suture Removal: Stitches are typically removed after 7–14 days, depending on the location of the surgery.
- Scar Care: Once healed, massaging the area can help flatten the scar.
Risks to Consider
Lipoma removal is very safe, but like all surgeries, it carries minor risks including infection, bruising, or scarring. There is also a small chance (about 1-2%) that a lipoma can grow back in the same spot.
Unsure about a lump?
If you have a lump that is bothering you—or one that has changed in size or shape—it is vital to get it checked.
Contact 1 Health to book a skin assessment with our experienced medical team today.
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Disclaimer:
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every person’s health situation is different. For personalised guidance or diagnosis, please consult a qualified clinician.
