Discovering a soft lump under your skin can leave you with plenty of questions and concerns. Often, the lump is a lipoma, which is a common, benign growth of fatty tissue.
Although lipomas are usually harmless, they can become painful, increase in size, or be bothersome because of their location. When that happens, minimally invasive removal can provide relief.
At Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, in Jackson, Mississippi, we offer lipoma removal during an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery.
Read on to learn what to expect about lipoma removal.
A lipoma is a slow-growing collection of fat cells that forms just beneath your skin. You may notice it feels soft, moves easily when pressed, and is usually painless. Lipomas can develop almost anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the:
Some people develop only one lipoma, while others may have several over their lifetime.
Not every lipoma requires treatment. However, we may recommend removal if the lipoma continues to grow or causes pain or tenderness.
Other reasons that may warrant lipoma removal include:
Even if a lipoma has been around for years, have it evaluated if you notice changes in its size, texture, or symptoms.
Lipoma removal is typically performed through a small incision directly over the lump. We carefully separate the lipoma from the surrounding tissue and remove it while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
For most people, we perform the procedure on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day. It requires only local anesthesia. In the case of large lipomas, you may need general sedation.
The entire procedure takes just 30-60 minutes.
Because the incision is kept as small as possible, recovery is quick and results in minimal scarring.
Recovery is usually faster than people expect. Expect mild soreness, bruising, or swelling for a few days. Many people resume light daily activities within 24-48 hours.
Our team provides instructions on caring for the incision, limiting strenuous activity, and recognizing signs of infection. Most incisions heal well over several weeks, and scars typically fade over time.
Once a lipoma is completely removed, it’s unlikely to return to the same location. Some people are prone to developing new lipomas elsewhere on the body, particularly if there is a family history.
Although lipomas are common and benign, not every lump under the skin is a lipoma. Always have a new or changing mass evaluated.
You don’t just have to live with a bothersome lipoma. Set up a consultation at Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, today to determine whether minimally invasive removal is the right option for you.
Call Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.
