LIPOMA REMOVAL

CLINICAL OVERVIEW & TREATMENT APPROACH

Lipomas are common benign soft tissue growths composed of mature fat cells. They typically appear as soft, mobile, slow-growing lumps beneath the skin and may remain unchanged for years or gradually increase in size.

Many lipomas cause no symptoms. Others may become more noticeable because of their size or location, create discomfort with movement or pressure, interfere with clothing or daily activities, or become cosmetically bothersome.

Lipomas are sometimes mistaken for cysts. Unlike cysts, lipomas are composed of fatty tissue, do not contain keratin, and do not drain. They therefore require a different surgical approach.

At International Vein & Skin Institute, evaluation and removal of selected superficial lipomas are personally performed by Dr. Jozef Tryzno, MD. Treatment planning considers the size, depth, location, mobility, clinical characteristics, and relationship to surrounding structures.

👉 Learn more about Epidermal & Pilar Cyst Removal

WHEN LIPOMA REMOVAL IS CONSIDERED

Removal may be considered when a lipoma is:

Enlarging
Painful or tender
Uncomfortable with movement or pressure
Interfering with clothing, equipment, or daily activities
Prominent or cosmetically bothersome
Diagnostically uncertain

Not every lipoma requires removal. Clinical examination helps determine whether the lesion is consistent with a lipoma and whether in-office surgical removal is appropriate.

LIPOMAS TREATED AT IVSI

IVSI offers in-office surgical removal of selected lipomas that are suitable for treatment under local anesthesia.

Lipomas considered for removal are generally:

Superficial and well-circumscribed
Located above the fascia
Limited in size
Clinically consistent with benign behavior
Accessible for safe removal under local anesthesia

Some soft tissue masses may require imaging or additional diagnostic evaluation to determine their depth and relationship to surrounding structures before treatment.

SURGICAL EXCISION

Unlike a cyst, a lipoma cannot be treated by drainage. Surgical removal requires an incision and careful dissection of the fatty growth from the surrounding tissue.

How it is performed:

Local anesthesia is administered
Incision is performed using a surgical CO₂ laser in cutting mode, providing precise tissue division with limited procedural bleeding
The lipoma is identified beneath the skin
Careful dissection is performed to separate the lipoma from surrounding tissue
The lipoma, including lobulated portions when present, is removed
The wound is closed with sutures, often in layers depending on depth, size, and location
A temporary drain may be placed when continued drainage is needed

The controlled surgical field provided by the CO₂ laser helps maintain clear visualization during dissection while limiting procedural bleeding.

Because lipomas may be lobulated and extend through the surrounding fatty tissue, adequate surgical exposure is important for careful removal. A linear scar is expected following excision.

YOUR ROLE IN PROPER HEALING

Proper wound care and protection of the surgical area are important parts of healing after lipoma removal. Larger or deeper excisions may require more time to heal than removal of a small superficial skin lesion.

The surgical area should be protected from trauma, excessive tension, friction, and activities that place unnecessary stress on the healing wound. Specific wound-care and activity instructions are provided according to the size and location of the procedure.

IMPORTANT PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS

Not every soft tissue mass that appears to be a lipoma is appropriate for in-office removal. Very large or deep lesions, subfascial masses, lesions involving muscle or important neurovascular structures, and procedures requiring general anesthesia are referred for treatment in an appropriate surgical setting.

Lesions that are firm, fixed, rapidly enlarging, unusually painful, deep, or otherwise atypical may require imaging or additional diagnostic evaluation before removal.

IVSI does not perform liposuction-based lipoma removal.

For lesions requiring surgical removal, histopathologic examination may be recommended based on the clinical findings.

Insurance coverage depends on the diagnosis, medical necessity, and the patient's individual insurance plan.

SCHEDULE A SOFT TISSUE MASS EVALUATION

An evaluation can help determine whether a lump is clinically consistent with a lipoma or another type of soft tissue lesion and whether in-office removal is appropriate.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a skin surgery evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical findings, diagnostic requirements, and patient-specific factors. Outcomes may vary, and no specific medical or cosmetic result can be guaranteed.

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