Lipoma Removal

What is lipoma?

Adipose tumours are benign soft, dome-shaped tumours that form under the skin layer and protrude outwards in the shape of lumps. These lumps are commonly quite soft and squishy and can change shape when touched. Lipomas store fat tissue and can form anywhere on the body. For example, they typically develop on your neck, shoulders, abdomen, arms, and thighs. Though benign tumours usually grow pretty slowly, their overall size can range quite heavily from a small pea to a large golf ball. 

Why should you remove lipoma?

Many people choose to remove adipose tumours for cosmetic reasons. Since they usually don’t disappear on their own, it is generally easier and more cost-effective to remove them while they are small so they don’t create further issues. Broader lipomas may cause discomfort, tenderness, pain, or itch as they grow, especially in pressure-sensitive areas like the spine or armpit.

What takes place in lipoma treatment?

Firstly, the surgeon will generally administer a local anaesthetic for surgical excision before incurring your skin to cut the fat lump. After which, the surgeon may send the removed lump for examination to find any signs of cancer or other pathogens. Finally, the surgeon with stitching then seals your wound before applying a bandage to prevent bleeding.

For non-surgical treatments, cryotherapy is used to eliminate your lipoma. Usually applied using a spray gun, liquid nitrogen is administered to your lipoma, freezing it. After one to two minutes, your affected skin should return from a pale white colour to its normal pigmentation as it thaws out. Your surgeon may repeat this process if the lesion is large enough.

In the next few days, a scab will form. This scab should take one to two weeks to fall off, leaving the treated area looking relatively normal. A full recovery is common after some time. However, some minor scarring or colour loss can appear. Depending on the nature of your lipoma, more than one cryotherapy treatment may be necessary for the surgeon to remove all visible lesions from your skin.

What happens after lipoma excision?

You will usually not need to stay the night at our clinic. However, your complete recovery may take up to two weeks, but it will be possible for you to return to work after your anaesthetic has worn off, assuming your job does not include any manual work such as an office job. You must refrain from exercise or strenuous activities for two weeks, including a labour intensive job.

What happens after lipoma cryotherapy treatment?

Your doctor will provide advice on how to care for your wound while it is healing and may suggest using vaseline, patting the wound dry if it becomes wet and advising you to refrain from picking the scab, all to reduce the chances of any scarring.