What is lipoma removal?

Lipoma removal is a procedure that involves removing benign, slow-growing lumps of fatty tissues that form beneath the skin. They typically develop in areas such as the arms, buttocks, neck, shoulders, torso, upper back, and upper thighs. Despite the fact lipomas are commonly harmless, doctors often recommend having lipomas removed if they cause pain or grow continuously. Additionally, you can even opt to have lipomas removed for cosmetic purposes if it becomes unsightly.

Lipomas are benign mass that are made up of fatty tissues cell, typically developing on the torso, arms, and shoulders.

Although lipoma can appear similar to skin cysts (link to skin cysts removal page), or skin lumps (link to skin lumps removal page), it is important to note that they vary greatly, as outlined in the table below:

Characteristics Lipoma Skin Lumps Skin Cysts
Definition Benign mass made of fatty tissue cells. General term often used to describe abnormal mass. Fluid-fill sac, often with air, fluid, pus, or other components.
Causes Overgrowth of fatty tissue cells. Abnormal tissue growth, infection, or injuries. Blockage in the ducts, or infections.
Texture Soft, and squishy. Depending on the causes, it can be soft, tender, or hard. Soft, and often feels like a small bump, or sac.
Growth rate Slow. It can be either slow, or fast, depending on the causes. Typically slow, but is fast-growing if it is caused by an infection.
Cancer risk Rare. Depending on the causes. No.

How does lipoma removal work?

Lipoma is typically removed through a minimally invasive procedure, which begins with a comprehensive consultation with our doctor. Prior to the procedure, our doctor will assess the lipoma’s size, and location through a thorough physical examination. In some cases. Once all relevant information has been obtained, the procedure will be scheduled.

In general, a lipoma removal surgery will  entail:

  • Administer anaesthesia: either local or general anaesthesia will be administered to numb the targeted areas and reduce pain or discomfort during the procedure. 
  • Incision: once the anaesthesia has taken effect, our doctor will proceed with making a small incision over the lipoma, before carefully dissecting around the mass to separate it from the surrounding healthy tissues.
  • Extraction: our doctor will then move to gently remove the lipoma. If the lipoma is on the larger side, our doctor may opt to excise the lipoma into smaller sections for ease of removal.
  • Closing the wound: after the lipoma has been successfully removed, our doctor will stitch up the wound and apply either a bandage or a dressing over the wound to prevent it from contracting an infection.
Lipoma removal surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that safely, and effectively remove lipomas.

What are the benefits of lipoma removal?

Surgically removing lipoma also offers several benefits, such as:

  • Alleviating pain and discomfort.
  • Boosting self-esteem and confidence.
  • Eliminating the possibility of the lipoma growing.
  • Improving cosmetic appearance.

How should I prepare for lipoma removal in Singapore?

While lipoma removal is a straightforward procedure, it is still important to be well-prepared to ensure a seamless and comfortable experience. Here are some key factors that you should keep in mind as you prepare for the procedure:

  • Attire: it is advisable to wear loose, and comfortable clothing that will enable you to change into a hospital gown with ease. Similarly, it is best to avoid wearing any jewellery, and accessories to avoid any hassle.
  • Diet: in most cases, fasting is only required if sedation is involved. However, it is best to speak with the doctor to confirm if eating and drinking before the surgery is permitted.
  • Medications: often you will be asked to stop taking blood thinners or aspirin to prevent excessive bleeding during the surgery. However, do seek confirmation from our doctor for confirmation.

What results can I expect from lipoma removal in Singapore?

Following a lipoma removal, you may experience some mild swelling, tenderness and discomfort at the surgical sites. As it is a minimally invasive procedure, most patients can resume their usual activities within a few days, provided that post-procedure aftercare is adhered t;

Using an antibacterial wash to clean the surgical site.

  • Keeping the surgical site clean and dry.
  • Changing the wound dressing regularly.
  • Refrain from unnecessarily touching the surgical site.
  • Showing up to all your postoperative follow-up appointments.

Additionally, our doctor may prescribe painkillers to alleviate the pain. More importantly, our doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor wound healing.

Lipomas are often recommended to be removed if they cause pain or discomfort.

How many lipoma removal sessions are needed?

The frequency of lipoma removal will depend on several factors, such as:

  • The number of lipomas that need to be removed.
  • The size of each lipoma.
  • The location of each lipoma.

While one session is typically sufficient, our doctor may recommend additional sessions if there are multiple lipomas, or if some of the lipomas are larger. You will be given a general idea of the frequency of the sessions after the initial consultation.

In the event your lipomas have been bothering you, or causing you any discomfort, or pain, then we do encourage you to schedule an appointment to have it examined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, it takes roughly 30 minutes for the procedure to complete.

As lipoma is a collection of fatty tissue cells, it can't resolve on its own.

Although lipomas are not usually painful, they can cause some pain and discomfort when they are pressed against a nerve or develop near a joint.

As with other surgical procedures, lipoma removal surgery carries minimal risk such as;

  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Minimal scarring.
  • Swelling, and tenderness.

The chances of lipoma regrowth are rare, but not impossible. If lipoma regrows, a follow-up surgery may be necessary.

Yes, surgery is a safe and effective procedure to completely remove lipomas.

Most benign lipomas do not carry the risk of becoming cancerous. However, approximately 2% of atypical lipomas may develop into liposarcoma, which is a type of cancer that begins in the fat cells.

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