Lipoma

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is a growth that develops when fat cells grow in the soft tissue under your skin. They typically feel like a soft, rubbery lump that you can move a little if you push it with your finger.

Lipomas can come up anywhere on your body, but they’re most likely to develop in the:

• Hands
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Abdomen
• Arms
• Thighs
• Back

Most lipomas are harmless and very often cause no problems. However, they can sometimes get quite large, becoming unsightly and occasionally painful.

If one of your close relatives has a history of lipomas or you have an inherited condition, such as Gardner’s syndrome or Madelung’s disease, your risk of multiple lipomas is higher. However, most people only develop single lipomas.

It’s important always to visit your primary care provider if you develop any lumps or growths. While they’re likely to be a lipoma or a cyst (a fluid-filled sac), it’s possible that you might have a more serious disease like cancer. It’s vital to undergo an evaluation to rule out such conditions.  

How are lipomas treated?

If your lipoma isn’t causing any problems, treatment is unnecessary. However, surgery is the best option if you have a painful or unsightly lipoma. Liposuction is one method where your surgeon extracts the fat from your lipoma using a needle and syringe.

Another option is excision surgery, which is a relatively simple procedure. Your Bayou City Surgical Specialists provider injects a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Then, they make tiny incisions in the lipoma and carefully remove it.

The Bayou City Surgical Specialists surgeons are highly skilled in lipoma removal. Their extensive experience removing tissue without damaging the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues makes this a very safe procedure. 

What happens after lipoma surgery?

Depending on the size of your lipoma, you might need a couple of stitches after surgery. For most patients, medical adhesive and/or a dressing is all the wound needs. As with any surgery, there’s a slight risk of infection, but following all the post-operative care instructions your surgeon gives you drastically reduces the likelihood of infection.

Lipoma excision has an excellent success rate, and lipomas rarely return after surgical removal. New lipomas can develop in other areas, but many people only ever have one. 

To learn more about fast, safe lipoma removal, call Bayou City Surgical Specialists today or book an appointment online.