Discovering a lump beneath your skin can be worrying if you’re unsure what it is or whether it needs treatment.
While it’s important to have any new or unexplained lump checked by a doctor to determine its cause, some lumps, such as lipomas, can turn out to be harmless.
Research shows that lipomas are a common soft tissue condition that affects approximately 1% of the population.
These soft, fatty growths develop beneath the skin and generally grow slowly over time. Although they rarely cause serious health problems, they can sometimes become uncomfortable, increase in size or affect your confidence, particularly when they appear in visible areas.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of a lipoma lump, you may also be asking whether it can disappear naturally or if surgery is the only effective solution.
In this guide, we’ll explain what causes lipomas, whether they can be removed without surgery and what to expect from professional lipoma removal.
What is a Lipoma Lump and What Causes It?
A lipoma is a non-cancerous growth made up of fatty tissue that develops beneath the skin.
Lipoma lumps are usually soft to the touch, move slightly when pressed and grow slowly over time. They can appear almost anywhere on the body, although they’re most commonly found on the shoulders, back, neck, arms and torso.
The exact cause of lipomas isn’t fully understood, but research highlighted by Cleveland Clinic suggests that genetics may play a role, particularly in people who develop multiple lipomas.
While lipomas are generally harmless, not every lump beneath the skin is a lipoma. You should always seek medical advice if you notice a new lump, especially if it grows quickly, becomes painful, feels hard or doesn’t move when pressed.
A doctor can examine the lump and, if necessary, arrange further investigations, such as an ultrasound scan, to help establish the diagnosis.
Can Lipomas Be Removed Without Surgery?
If you’ve discovered a lipoma, you might be wondering whether it’s possible to get rid of it naturally, without undergoing surgery.
Unfortunately, there’s no proven way to shrink or remove a lipoma through home remedies, creams, massage or dietary changes. Although lipomas are made up of fatty tissue, losing weight won’t necessarily make them smaller or cause them to disappear.
However, this doesn’t mean every lipoma needs to be surgically removed. Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) growths that rarely require treatment. Removal may be recommended if a lipoma grows, causes discomfort or becomes a cosmetic concern.
For those who want a lipoma removed, surgical excision is generally the preferred treatment. In some cases, liposuction may be considered as an alternative, although this can carry a higher risk of recurrence if the lipoma’s capsule isn’t completely removed.
How Do You Get Rid of a Lipoma Lump?
The most common method of lipoma removal is through a minor surgical procedure known as surgical excision. This involves making a small skin incision and carefully removing the fatty lump, including its surrounding capsule, to reduce the likelihood of it returning.
At The Lagom Clinic, lipoma removal is performed by experienced plastic surgeon Mr Alex Trevatt, using techniques designed to minimise scarring.
The procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes and involves the following steps:
- Assessment: Your surgeon examines the lipoma, discusses the procedure and confirms the most appropriate approach.
- Local anaesthetic: The area is numbed so you remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Removal: A small incision is made, and the lipoma is carefully separated from the surrounding tissue and removed.
- Closure and aftercare: The wound is closed with sutures and a dressing is applied. You’ll receive instructions on caring for the area as it heals.
As lipoma removal is usually performed under local anaesthetic, you can usually return home the same day without needing an overnight hospital stay.
For larger, deeper or more complex lipomas, additional imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI scan, may be recommended before surgery to help plan the procedure.
What to Expect After Lipoma Removal
Recovery following lipoma removal is usually straightforward. However, healing times can vary depending on the size and location of the lipoma, as these can affect the complexity of the procedure.
It’s normal to experience some mild swelling, bruising or tenderness around the incision during the first few days. Your surgeon will provide aftercare instructions to help the wound heal and reduce the risk of complications.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during recovery:
- Pain and discomfort: Mild soreness is common once the local anaesthetic wears off, but this can usually be managed with appropriate pain relief, as advised by your surgeon.
- Scarring: Any surgical incision will leave a scar, although careful closure techniques can help minimise its appearance. Scars typically become less noticeable over time.
- Returning to normal activities: Many people can resume light daily activities relatively quickly, although strenuous exercise and activities that place tension on the wound should be avoided until healing is sufficiently advanced.
- Risk of recurrence: Lipomas are unlikely to return after complete surgical removal, although new lipomas can develop elsewhere.
What Are the Benefits of Private Lipoma Removal?
The NHS doesn’t routinely offer lipoma removal for cosmetic reasons, as they are usually only removed if they’re growing or causing symptoms related to their location.
For those who want an unwanted lipoma removed, choosing a private clinic can offer several benefits.
Here’s what you can expect when booking your lipoma removal with The Lagom Clinic:
- Greater flexibility: Private clinics often provide convenient appointment options, allowing you to arrange treatment around your schedule.
- Access to specialist expertise: Lipoma removal is performed by our experienced plastic surgeon, with particular attention to minimising visible scarring.
- A straightforward booking process: There’s no need for a separate GP consultation before booking minor lipoma removal procedures with us.
- Comprehensive aftercare: Follow-up appointments, including stitch removal and wound checks where necessary, are included in our treatment price.
Private treatment can be appealing if your lipoma doesn’t meet NHS removal criteria, but you’d still prefer to have it removed.
Book Your Lipoma Removal at The Lagom Clinic
If you’re living with a lipoma that’s causing discomfort or affecting your confidence, you don’t have to put up with it.
At The Lagom Clinic, our experienced plastic surgeon provides professional lipoma removal in Bristol, focusing on patient comfort and surgical techniques aimed at minimising visible scarring.
Whether you’re looking to remove a small fatty lump or need specialist care for a more complex lipoma, we’re here to help you find the right treatment.
Book your lipoma removal appointment today and take the first step towards feeling more comfortable in your skin.
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